Although you with very late in showing up, welcome to the summer transfer window, Chelsea FC.
With former manager Antonio Conte now finally sacked, and Maurizio Sarri finally free from his Napoli contract, Stamford Bridge can now begin closing the deals that they have had lined up for quite some time. Those deals include Italy international and Napoli playmaker Jorginho, who, like Sarri, is reportedly in London to finalize his move to the Blues today.
Maurizio Sarri is now free to fly to London today, with a compensation deal finally being struck with Napoli. Jorginho will also join.
Sarri will sign a 2-year deal with an option for a third, on a salary of around €6.4m gross per season (Gazzetta dello Sport) pic.twitter.com/SfFAuuw5T1
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) July 13, 2018
Multiple outlets are reporting that both Sarri and Jorginho have arrived in London to finalize their moves to Stamford Bridge, with an official announcement potentially coming in the next day or two.
These reports emerge two days after Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed the two transactions were close to reaching completion during a news conference introducing Carlo Ancelotti as the new boss (and Sarri’s replacement) at the Serie A side.
BREAKING: Jorginho has arrived in London ahead of a potential £57m move to Chelsea – Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/cFsnNLMUZa
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 13, 2018
Am told #Sarri took a flight to London this morning and has arrived in the capital #cfc
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) July 13, 2018
The 42 reports that Chelsea will fork over a combined fee of €58m (£51.3m) plus €7m (£6m) in add-ons to Napoli for the pair. It is still possible, albeit at this point rather unlikely, Manchester City could still swoop in and outspend the Blues on Jorginho, Pep Guardiola’s number one midfield target this summer.
However, City scuppering the deal at this point is a very big long shot to say the least. It is widely understood that Sarri’s arrival could also prompt the transfer of CSKA Moscow Aleksandr Golovin and Juventus defender Daniele Rugani.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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