Napoli are ‘pressing’ Brighton and Hove Albion for a deal for defender Leo Østigard this summer.
That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, who say the player has already accepted the proposal presented to him by the Italian club.
The newspaper explains that Napoli have been fans of the Brighton youngster for some time, with those in charge of transfers scouring the market for ‘youngsters who could have a future’.
They believe Østigard falls into this category and initial negotiations over a deal started all the way back in March.
According to their information, the deal is one that Napoli would like to close as soon as possible, and they have ‘moved forward’ to make that happen.
Initially, they were far apart from Brighton in their valuation of the player, but now there is only a €3m difference between the two parties.
The Serie A side are confident Østigard can shine in Naples, and his six-month loan spell at Genoa has removed the need for an acclimitisation period, another major bonus.
Østigard is more than happy to make the move, and when he discovered the interest from Napoli was genuine, he ‘began to imagine’ the move coming to fruition.
Indeed, he and his management have already been in contact about the transfer, and when Napoli asked if he’d be interested, the ‘yes was immediate’.
The more complicated part of the deal is negotiating with Brighton, who have set an asking price of €8m on their man. Napoli, though, would want it to be done at €5m.
There is a need for the Seagulls to find an agreement, however, as Østigard’s contract is set to expire next summer, and he can negotiate a free transfer away from January onwards.
Napoli are banking on that working in their favour, alongside Østigard’s desire to play in Naples, the one time home of his idol Fabio Cannavaro.
