West Ham and Newcastle miss out, ‘excellent’ midfielder agrees £10m deal

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Premier League duo West Ham and Newcastle United look set to miss out on Kristjan Asllani with Serie A giants Inter Milan agreeing a £9 million fee with Empoli, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. 

Empoli have an impressive track record when it comes to setting talented young midfielders on the pathway to glory.

Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer, two key cogs in AC Milan’s Scudetto-winning machine, made their name at the Carlo Castellani after all and Alssani could soon be set to follow in their footsteps, albeit on the other side of the Milanese divide. 

Calciomercato report that Asllani, a dynamic, all-action 20-year-old hailing from Albania, is liked by West Ham and Leicester City. Two clubs facing a fight as they look to retain their own star midfielders; Declan Rice and Youri Tielemans respectively. 

According to Alfredo Pedulla, Newcastle also had a meeting planned to discuss a deal for Asllani. The four-time international ticks a lot of boxes for a club still prioritising affordable, up-and-coming young talent, despite their new-found riches. 

Inter Milan close to Kristjan Asllani deal with Empoli

One of Serie A’s breakthrough stars is likely to remain in Italy, however, and continue his rapid rate of progression alongside Lautaro Martinez, Stefan de Vrij and co at the San Siro. Inter Milan have agreed a £9 million fee with Empoli, even if hands are yet to shake on the structure of the deal. 

Personal terms will not be a problem. Asllani is to sign a five-year deal worth £20,000-a-week, while operating initially as Marcelo Brozovic’s understudy in the number six role. And, according to Corriere dello Sport, Inter will send Lucien Agoume and highly-rated striker Martin Satriano on loan to Empoli in exchange. 

“He is a very interesting guy, destined for a great club,” says Albania coach Edy Reja. “If (Napoli president Aurelio) De Laurentiis asked me, I woWest Ham and Newuld recommend him.  

“I was struck by his personality. And, in March, I gave him debut with the senior national team against Spain, even though he is still under 21. The impression (he made) was excellent. He knows how to play in an intelligent way and has two excellent feet.”