Thanks to the impressive Premier League broadcasting deals, the increased revenue for clubs in the league has unfortunately made them an even bigger target for agents and newspapers to help raise the profile of players.
For example, Sergio Ramos infamously used Manchester United to see his Real Madrid contract renewed a couple of years ago, yet sometimes clubs are also used by newspapers to make targets of local clubs sound even more exciting to their readers.
Il Mattino are a perfect example of this on Tuesday, explaining that local team Napoli are looking at Villarreal’s Samuel Castillejo to bolster their attack for next season, and claim that both Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal are all also after the Spaniard.
That isn’t to say the young winger isn’t having a good season, or doesn’t have the potential to play under the likes of José Mourinho or Pep Guardiola.
It’s just that, with no reports about this in Spain, where you would expect such a story to emerge, it’s hard to believe.
Now, there are two ways this information could have found its way on Il Mattino’s pages.
Either they contacted someone, like Castillejo’s agent, who told them such clubs were interested in their client, which could go from mere scouting to early discussions, or the Italian newspaper have just chucked the names in there to make a player relatively unknown to most Napoli fans sound more exciting.
The 22-year-old winger has made 37 appearances in all competitions for Villarreal this season, scoring three goals and picking up five assists from the wing.
Not exactly groundbreaking stuff, and considering Il Mattino report the Spanish club are asking for around €40m, we can’t exactly see Manchester United or Manchester City deciding to pay even half of that for the young forward considering the options they already have there.
As for Arsenal, it’s possible, but not at €40m.
