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Chelsea transfer news: Blues launch bid to beat Man City to Jorginho
CHELSEA are in talks with Napoli over a deal to sign Jorginho, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Brazil-born Italian international is Pep Guardiola’s first-choice target to come in as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho having turned away from Fred, who has since joined Manchester United.
But while City are said to have agreed personal terms with Jorginho, with the 26-year-old said to be keen on a move, the two clubs have struggled to agree over a fee.
Manchester Evening News claim that City want to pay around £35million for Jorginho while the Serie A side are holding out for closer to their £53m valuation.
And the failure to reach any middle ground is set to see Chelsea swoop in and try to seal a deal with N’Golo Kante reportedly Paris Saint-Germain’s top summer target, according to Romano.
Romano tweeted: “#Chelsea are going to try to hijack the Jorginho-Man City deal! Talks ongoing with Napoli.”
Chelsea are also moving in on the appointment of Maurizio Sarri to replace Antonio Conte and the ex-Napoli boss is likely to be behind the decision to move for Jorginho.
Jorginho has been left out of the Napoli squad for their pre-season training camp - leading to suggestions that a Naples exit is inevitable in the coming weeks.
City completed their first summer deal yesterday, signing Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez in a £60m move while Chelsea have yet to make a signing.
MEN claim that were Jorginho to sign for City, they would turn to United-linked Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic or Southampton’s Mario Lemina.
Chelsea could face a fight to keep Eden Hazard with the Blues star heavily linked with Madrid and odds having been cut on a potential move after Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus.