After weeks of reports saying that Aurelio de Laurentiis wouldn’t budge on the €25m asking price for Manolo Gabbiadini, the Italian media are now reporting the Napoli president will accept €20m.
With Premier League sides, notably Southampton, refusing to offer anything more, and considering the player isn’t a part of Maurizio Sarri’s long-term plans, concessions are seemingly being made.
Il Mattino, who continue their shambolic reporting of bids from the Premier League, are now stating that Claude Puel’s side have made a €15.5m bid via the player’s agent, Silvio Pagliari, to which Napoli said ‘no, thank you’.
Having previously claimed Napoli would negotiate around €20m, the Italian newspaper now say that figure has been lowered to €18m, ‘even if no Premier League sides are willing to match that’.
Considering the same outlet claimed a few days ago the Saints offered €22m + bonuses, you can see why we’re getting a bit fed up with the toing and froing regarding these alleged ‘bids’.
Corriere dello Sport also have a brief update on the situation, agreeing with their Naples-based colleagues that Napoli have reduced their asking price for Gabbiadini.
Their stance, however, is that Aurelio De Laurentiis’ demands are ‘€20m and not one cent less’.
No mention of a possible €18m deal here.
It’s bend but don’t break at Napoli at the moment, yet you can’t help but feel the closer we get to the end of the transfer window, the more cracks will start to appear, and an offer might eventually make its way through.
Maybe.
