Roma winger Justin Kluivert is finally on his way to the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth closing in on a £25 million deal one year after his move to Fulham fell through.
Not that an aborted deal for the one-time Ajax whizzkid held The Cottagers back.
Fulham signed Willian instead shortly after their pursuit of Justin Kluivert collapsed due to problems with his work permit. And, at the ripe old age of 34, Willian ended up playing some of the best football of his career back in West London as Marco Silva’s side secured a top-half finish.
But with Kluivert now on his way to Bournemouth instead, the 24-year-old will at least be afforded the opportunity to show Fulham what they are missing.
Bournemouth near Justin Kluivert deal with Roma
According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between Bournemouth and Roma are at an ‘advanced’ stage. Giallorossi director Tiago Pinto will be in England this week. The Cherries, meanwhile, are expected to pay a fee in the region of £25 million.
One which, per Tuttomercatoweb, will see Kluivert become their joint-record signing alongside the recently-departed Jefferson Lerma.
The son of Dutch legend Patrick, Amsterdam-born Justin – who was named Goal’s Nxt Gen winner back in 2018 – went some way to rebuilding his reputation on loan at Valencia last term after an ill-fated spell in the Italian capital. His six goals from the wing were integral as Los Che dramatically staved off the very real threat of relegation.
Kluivert, meanwhile, made it clear in conversation with Kick ‘T Met that he has little interest in returning to Italy in an attempt to fight for his place under Jose Mourinho.
“I’m still stuck at Roma,” the jet-heeled 24-year-old says, via Voetbal Primeur. “But I want to get rid of them, man.” People sometimes also ask: do you want to go back? Then I say; ‘No man’. That book is closed to me.
“I’m missing one more competition now; England. Maybe that will come, who knows.”
The Kluivert ship may have sailed for Fulham, but another Italy-based player could soon be heading to Craven Cottage. The agent of Fiorentina defender Igor Julio this week indicated that a summer move may be on the cards.
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