Premier League clubs have made offers for Sampdoria defender Omar Colley, the reported Newcastle and West Ham United target’s agent has told Corriere dello Sport.
He has certainly taken his time but, at the age of 27, this late-blooming centre-back could finally be on his way to England.
Colley had spells in Gambia, Finland, Sweden and Belgium before arriving in Italy two years ago but, after a pair of impressive seasons at Sampdoria, Newcastle, West Ham, Southampton and others are fighting it out for his £14 million-rated signature.
Last month, Calciomercato reported Burnley were interested in the defender, with Sean Dyche looking to add competition for Ben Mee and James Tarkowski at the heart of his well-drilled back line.
“It’s true, there have been polls by English teams but he is fine in Sampdoria,” Cheikh Fall said. “We are ready to evaluate proposals also because the Premier League is an important championship but there must be a qualitative leap otherwise he will stay.
“The situation is evolving. I repeat there has been interest from England but he still has two years (left on his contract) with Sampdoria.
“If he were to stay he would be happy and maybe we could talk to Sampdoria also about a possible extension of the contract.”
The situation, then, is clear. Colley would only leave a Sampdoria side who finished 15th in Serie A last season for a club he felt represented a step up the ladder.
Of the four aforementioned Premier League clubs, perhaps a forward-thinking, exciting Southampton side or always overachieving Burnley represent the most intriguing options.
West Ham’s record transfers
- Sebastien Haller
£45 million
- Felipe Anderson
£41.5 million
- Marko Arnautovic
£25 million
- Pablo Fornals
£24 million
- Issa Diop
£22 million
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