(Football news) Udinese winger Gerard Deulofeu is very close to signing for Napoli. Deulofeu has reportedly agreed personal terms with Napoli, with a salary of €2 million net per season plus bonuses. The Spaniard has a contract with Udinese until 2024 but they are looking to cash in on him now with Napoli negotiating the transfer fee with his parent club who are looking for an estimated €16m.
The former Barcelona winger joined Udinese last year after leaving Watford permanently and last season he scored 13 goals in 34 Serie A matches which helped Udinese to finish in 12th which was subsequently the joint-best finish for the club in the last nine seasons. Reports claim that Deulofeu has been flattered by the interest from Napoli and his interest is deterring the Spaniard from a move to England, where West Ham were interested in him but having spent the last two campaigns in the Serie A, he preferred to stay in Italy. Deulofeu’s excellent campaign this season in front of the goal was his best season in the league since playing for Barcelona’s B team, having mixed scoring success in England while playing for Everton and Watford.
The Spainard first came to England when he left Barcelona on loan for the 2013/14 season and moved to Goodison Park on a season-long deal. In his first loan period with Everton, he scored four times in 29 games. After a season-long loan with Sevilla, Everton eventually signed Deulofeu permanently, and he went on to play 46 more times for the Toffees, scoring four goals for them. Deulofeu then briefly left Everton on loan to play for AC Milan before he permanently returned to Barcelona for a season. Watford then signed the winger on loan for the 2017/18 campaign, before re-signing him permanently after that for the next two seasons.
With Watford he showcased his talent as he helped them reach the FA Cup final in the 2018/19 season. He then left on loan to Udinese for a season, when the Hornets suffered relegation from the Premier League, he left them and joined Udinese permanently. While West Ham were said to be interested in but are set to miss out Deulofeu to Napoli this summer. Leo østigård is also set to join from Brighton for a reported fee of 3 million. Last season, the central midfielder played 15 games for Genoa and impressed a lot of the big clubs in Italy as the likes of Napoli and Lazio took interest in him. His performance helped get his first cap for Norway as he is currently in the Norway UEFA Nations league squad.
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