The agent of Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri has this afternoon revealed that Serie A outfit Napoli hold a clear lead in the race to secure his client’s signature.
African talent
Seri, an 18-time capped Ivory Coast international, was one of the standout performers in Ligue 1 during the 2016/17 season, as Les Aiglons secured a shock place in the playoff round of the Champions League.
Controlling proceedings from the middle of midfield for the entirety of his side’s stellar campaign, the diminutive 26-year-old playmaker racked up 7 goals and 9 assists, catching the eye of some of Europe’s biggest sides in the process.
Suitors
All of Barcelona, Tottenham, AS Roma and PSG were subsequently linked with moves for Seri last summer, with the Blaugrana having even reached a deal with Nice, before pulling the plug on the transfer at the last minute.
Seri has since spoken out on several occasions regarding his immense disappointment at his dream move to the Camp Nou falling through in such agonizing fashion, with Barca having instead opted to bring in Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande last summer, and Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in January.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 2:
Jean Seri from OSC Nice during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Third Round: Second Leg match between AJAX Amsterdam and OSC Nice at Amsterdam Arena, on August 2, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Andy Astfalck/Getty Images)
Despite having struggled to make quite as impressive an impact this past season as he did last, Seri’s signature is nevertheless once again being fought for by several European giants, with all of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Napoli named as admirers of the Nice star’s talents.
Blues’ move
A report courtesy of RTL journalist Christian Ollivier last Tuesday night even went as far as to claim that Chelsea were in ‘advanced talks’ with Seri over a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, with Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich having personally chosen the African midfielder as an ideal signing:
Indiscrétion ⚽ Jean-Michaël #Seri #OGCN , en contact très avancé avec #Chelsea @ChelseaFC . Même sans coach nommé jusqu’à présent. Choix personnel d’Abramovitch. @RTLFrance.
— Christian Ollivier (@c_ollivier_rtl) June 5, 2018
‘In pole position’
However, Ollivier’s claim looks to have been wide of the mark, as Seri’s agent, Franklin Mala, has revealed this afternoon that his client is in fact inching towards a move to Serie A outfit Napoli.
Speaking in an interview with CalcioNapoli24 a short time ago, Franklin Mala divulged:
‘We hope to have positive news from Naples in the next few hours.’
‘There’s been informal contact with Napoli, but still no step forward from [Aurelio] De Laurentiis’ club. We’re ready to meet Napoli.’
‘Napoli are in pole position, Seri prefers Naples to anywhere else. Napoli need to speed up in every way to close the deal.’
‘His €40m release clause expires on July 15, so they have to pay it by that date. After July 15, Nice can ask for any amount.’
‘There are two Premier League teams in for Seri but I can’t say anything else.’
‘Image rights? Not a problem.’
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source https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/blow-arsenal-chelsea-seri-agent-club-pole-position/
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