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Chelsea and Napoli haggle over Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen transfer swap, Atletico eye Kante - Paper Round
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Updated 15/08/2024 at 08:27 GMT+1
Chelsea and Napoli disagree over the valuation of Romelu Lukaku in any swap deal for Victor Osimhen, while Atletico Madrid are looking at N’Golo Kante as an alternative to Conor Gallagher. Elsewhere, Arsenal are hoping to close their deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, and Liverpool could sign Valencia's Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Osimhen nets superb hat-trick goal for rampant Napoli
Video credit: TNT Sports
Chelsea could pull off Lukaku swap
Chelsea are interested in offloading Romelu Lukaku to Napoli in exchange for Victor Osimhen - but the two clubs are apart in their valuations for the former.
That is according to a report in The Sun, which claims Chelsea want £40 million for the Belgium international, while Napoli feel he is worth £30m.
The paper explains: “The Blues are set to be offered Victor Osimhen if Napoli can take out-of-favour Romelu Lukaku plus cash as part of a proposed deal.
“Chelsea have been in talks with Napoli over signing Osimhen, who handed in a transfer request to accelerate his exit this summer.
“In order to a get deal through the Serie A side might be open to accepting Chelsea's Lukaku heading the other way.
“Stamford Bridge chiefs are keen to receive at least £40m for the Belgian striker, who has two years left on his contract.
“But Napoli value Lukaku at around £30m and Osimhen at around £100m.”
Atletico eye up Gallagher alternative
The Evening Standard believes that Atletico Madrid are interested in N’Golo Kante as a midfield transfer target.
The news comes after Atletico’s move for Conor Gallagher collapsed, at least for the present moment.
The paper writes: “Conor Gallagher is back in London and due in for Chelsea training today as his protracted transfer to Atletico Madrid stalls.
"The England midfielder had been in Madrid and poised to complete his £33.7 million move to Atletico, only for Samu Omorodion’s Chelsea switch to fall at the final hurdle.
“The 24-year-old is in limbo, with his Atletico switch hinging on whether Chelsea can instead strike a deal with the Madrid club to sign Joao Felix. Atletico need to raise funds through selling either Omorodion or Felix in order to ratify their deal for Gallagher, having signed Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez this week.
“Atletico are thought to have made tentative enquiries about the availability of former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, but his Saudi club Al Ittihad’s continued stance is that the France star is not for sale. A host of clubs across Europe have been confident of convincing Al Ittihad to sell the 33-year-old, but the Saudi outfit have rebuffed all approaches.
“Atletico still want to complete the Gallagher deal, but are also exploring potential contingencies, with Kante appearing their favoured alternative despite Al Ittihad’s firm stance.”
Arsenal push to complete Merino deal
Arsenal's sporting director Edu hopes to push through a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
The Spanish club want the bulk of a £30 million fee to be paid up front, with Arsenal looking to pay £5m less.
The Mirror reports: “Arsenal chief Edu has been in Spain this week as he looks to finalise the signing of 28-year-old Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
“It comes after the Gunners verbally indicated their willingness to pay around £25m for the Spaniard last month, when an agreement appeared imminent. However, progress during talks over payment structure and potential add-ons has since proven slow, even though the Euro 2024 winner already has already reached an agreement on personal terms with Mikel Arteta's Premier League title-chasing side.
“But now a deal is on track and there is optimism Merino will join David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori in completing a permanent transfer to the Emirates. Sociedad have spent the best part of 10 days desperately trying to persuade Merino’s midfield partner in crime Martin Zubimendi to remain at the club following an unsuccessful approach from Liverpool.
“But the La Liga outfit know they are virtually powerless when it comes to keeping Merino as he has entered the final 12 months of his contract and is not prepared to sign an extension at the Anoeta. Though they will still try to negotiate the best deal possible and will request a high initial payment and an overall fee of up to £30m.”
Liverpool plan Mamardashvili swoop
Liverpool are looking at signing Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to replace Alisson in the long term.
The 23-year-old is valued by his club at £38.6m, and if he were to sign for Liverpool he would not join the first team until 2025.
The Athletic claims: “Liverpool are exploring a deal to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
“Valencia value the 23-year-old at more than €45 million (£38.6m). His contract runs until June 2027 and contains a €100m release clause.
“If a deal can be agreed, the expectation is Mamardashvili would not arrive at Liverpool until 2025, with Alisson’s status as first-choice not under threat for the upcoming campaign.
“The Athletic reported last month that, before the Euros, Mamardashvili had already been on the radar of a number of European clubs such as Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.”
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