Fulham and Southampton could both see deals fall apart as Fiorentina offer £6 million plus Bartlomiej Dragowski for Celta Vigo defender Javi Galan, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
Dragowski, you see, is a target for Southampton. Galan, meanwhile, has admirers at Craven Cottage.
So a £6 million player-plus-cash swap deal – one that sees a Poland international shot-stopper end up at Balaidos as one of Europe’s most underrated left-backs moves in the other direction – will dash the hopes of both Ralph Hasenhuttl and Marco Silva in one fell swoop.
Fiorentina, TMW claim, are offering £6 million up front for Galan, plus Dragowski. The former Empoli ‘keeper – who broke a Serie A record while making a staggering 17 saves in a goalless draw with Atalanta a couple of seasons back – is entering the final year of his La Viola contract. Getting him off the books, while bringing in Galan, would kill two birds with one stone as far as Fiorentina are concerned.
“Several teams (are keen on Galan),” says a spokesperson on behalf of the You First agency that represents the former Leeds United target, adding that it is ‘very likely’ Galan will soon receive an offer he cannot refuse.
“Javi has a valid contract until 2026. He is very comfortable at Celta. But we will assess his departure if an offer suits the player and the club.”
Bad news for both Southampton and Fulham
According to El Desmarque, Fulham have held talks with Celta regarding a deal that would see Galan join the Championship champions for £10 million. The Galicia-based outfit will struggle to turn down a rival offer from Fiorentina, however. Especially given that Dragowski would represent a sizeable coup for a club who finished in the bottom half last term.
An excellent all-round ‘keeper blessed with superb reflexes and a real command of his penalty area, Dragowski was expected to end up at Southampton. The Saints now appear to be prioritising Gavin Bazunu, while bringing in free-agent Mateusz Lis.
Lis will spend 2022/23 out on loan, however, meaning there is still place for Dragowski following Fraser Forster’s departure.
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