Nicolas Tagliafico is waiting for Ajax to give the green light to a half-season loan transfer to Napoli after the reported Newcastle United target’s agent met the Dutch side on Tuesday.
That’s according to TuttoMercatoWEB, who report Tagliafico’s representative travelled to Amsterdam for crunch talks with his Eredivisie outfit. He is all set to fly to Italy and seal a move to the Azzurri this month after they presented an official offer to De Godenzonen.
Napoli have asked to loan Tagliafico for the remainder of the season with an option to buy the 29-year-old. The Argentina defender wants to leave Ajax during the winter market and the move to Naples has proven very appealing.
Marseille had explored a deal to sign Tagliafico, as well, but they have now signed Arsenal outcast Sead Kolasinac instead. The Bosnian’s arrival in Ligue 1 is likely to end OM’s pursuit of the Ajax star, who Barcelona now want.
The Blaugrana have joined the tussle for Tagliafico, but they may be too late on the scene. His agent has met Ajax to find a resolution to talks with Napoli, who are showing the most interest. The 36-cap international is keen to leave in January having fallen out of favour.
Ajax want permanent not loan transfer for Newcastle and Napoli target Tagliafico
Ajax star Tagliafico has also had suitors in the Premier League, including Newcastle, during the January transfer window. The Daily Mail report the Toon lodged an enquiry into signing the Argentine as an alternative to Lucas Digne. He has since left Everton to join Aston Villa.
Yet Napoli are likely to deny Newcastle a transfer as Tagliafico is ready to leave Ajax for the Azzurri. However, De Godenzonen’s stance may yet open the door for the Magpies again.
Reports by TyC Sports add Ajax are reluctant to grant a loan transfer for Tagliafico, instead preferring to sell the Newcastle and Napoli target. They want €7m (£6m) for the left-back, whose agent is speaking with Sports Director Marc Overmars to resolve his case.
Tagliafico has featured 14 times so far this season, but he has only opened five games in all competitions. Ajax boss Erik ten Hag also admits the defender’s situation is annoying him.
“Of course Tagliafico is disappointed, I understand that very well,” Ten Hag said, via VI last month. “He also sees that with players like Daley Blind and Lisandro Martinez there are two players who are doing very well. But he handles it excellently.
“He is a top professional and even asks me: ‘how can I help the team?’ Of course, he also has his moments of frustration, there is also a lot at stake for him. But I am extremely grateful to Tagliafico for what he has done for Ajax and me in recent years.”
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