Napoli want City’s £65m for Jorginho
MANCHESTER City will have to pay Napoli at least £ 65million for key target Jorginho.
The Italians are adamant that the Premier League champions will have to smash their transfer record of £57m they paid for Aymeric Laporte in January.
Pep Guardiola has identified the midfielder as his prime target this summer and would have no problem stumping up that fee.
But it looks as though their opening offer will be south of £ 50m — with possibly a player or two thrown in to sweeten the deal.
Jorginho is desperate to join the champions and Guardiola wants him to succeed Fernandinho who has just turned 33.
He was born in Brazil but has Italian nationality so there would be no work permit issues.
His agent has been trying to push Napoli into coming to an agreement with the Blues.
Riches
He said: “If Napoli finds an agreement with City, the player goes to Manchester.
“Finding an agreement with the English will not be a problem considering the importance of the team but I repeat, that decision is for Napoli.”
Despite all their riches, City are wary of the financial fair play rules — that’s the main reason why they didn’t pay over the odds for Riyad Mahrez in January.
One player looking to force his way into the Etihad picture next season
VETERAN: Fernandinho is Patrick Roberts. The 21- year- old has just ended his second loan spell with Celtic who would like to sign him permanently.
There has also been interest from Premier League clubs and he almost went to Leicester as part of a Mahrez deal.
The winger is unlikely to head back to Glasgow and is desperate for a chance to shine in the Premier League.
He said: “I have aims in my head but I don’t know if I’m going to do it or not.
“I’ll have dreams and objectives where I want to be, but it’s about me putting it into place.
“Hopefully my career will pan out the way I want it to, but I just enjoy playing football.
“It doesn’t faze me. In the summer I’ll go back and see what happens.”
Roberts has made just two appearances off the bench for City but believes he’s a better player now.
He added: “You grow up quite quickly with the physicality of the league and players.”