Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini insists player sales may be necessary as Leeds United and West Ham plan a raid of the Serie A outfit for Nahitan Nandez and Giovanni Simeone respectively, speaking to Calcio Casteddu.
Those of you with good memories will probably remember the last time Giulini spoke publicly about the futures of Nandez and Simeone.
In October 2020, the Cagliari chief admitted Leeds tried to sign the South American duo during the final few days of the summer transfer window.
At the time, the Sardinians refused to budge and never looked like cashing in – especially as there was simply no time to find replacements.
Nine months later and Giulini is striking a slightly different tone, admitting the sale of either Nandez or Simeone – or both – would “help our balance sheet” in a covid-hit market.
He did insist, however, there are currently no bids on the table for Nandez amid claims Leeds are on the verge of a deal that would see the former Boca Juniors youngster become their record-signing to the tune of £31 million.
Are Nahitan Nandez and Giovanni Simeone heading to Leeds United and West Ham?
“There are no concrete offers for Nahitan. The truth is no club has contacted us,” says Giulini, backing previous claims from Cagliari’s sporting director when quizzed about Leeds’ interest in Nandez.
“Not selling a big hitter could penalise us but, at the same time, it strengthens us from a technical point of view. Obviously, such a sale would help our balance sheet.
“At this time, it would be ideal to make money but we must also be creative by studying other formulas.”
In June, Calciomercato reported West Ham had made an approach for Simeone, Cagliari’s £14 million-rated centre-forward.
The son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego, Simeone Jr also admitted this week he’s keen to take on a new adventure elsewhere.
“We are talking about a player who, in his time in Serie A, has always reached double figures,” Giulini adds.
“If a suitable offer arrives, however, everyone is on the market. There isn’t one player who’s not transferable in the event of an appropriate offer – because we need to make at least one sale.
“But this offer has not yet arrived.”
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