Napoli are refusing to give up on their pursuit of Kostas Tsimikas just yet, despite Liverpool rejecting the Serie A side’s request for a loan transfer, according to Calciomercato.
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona natives have approached Jurgen Klopp’s side to discuss a temporary deal for the Greek full-back. But the Anfield natives turned down the offer, in an apparent refusal to weaken the German’s squad.
But Napoli are not yet backing down and will continue to monitor the Reds’ £12m signing from last summer. Luciano Spalletti’s side could make another move for the 25-year-old later in the market, too, if they receive enough encouragement that a deal is possible.
Napoli hope that an onerous loan with a higher fee going to Liverpool will see them let Tsimikas join. The left-back asking to leave for Naples could also be decisive in Spalletti strengthening the position, after he endured a difficult debut campaign on Merseyside.
Tsimikas only featured seven times in all competitions following his move from Olympiakos in August. Klopp awarded just two of his outings in the Premier League, as well, and neither came in the starting line-up.
Instead, he started twice in the Champions League and once in the Carabao Cup – against League One side Lincoln City. Bar a one-minute cameo against Burnley in the penultimate round of league fixtures, his only top-flight appearance also lasted five minutes in February.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced Napoli to only target Liverpool defender Tsimikas on loan this summer, per Corriere dello Sport. They are unable to afford a permanent deal for the nine-cap international, who Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli admires greatly.
Liverpool to block Napoli signing Tsimikas this summer
With Liverpool already rejecting a loan approach for Tsimikas, Klopp’s side are likely to block Napoli from any summer transfer. The Liverpool Echo noted recently that the Merseysiders are pleased with the progress he has made behind the scenes in training.
The Reds were particularly impressed by how he stepped up during the second half of last season. Now, they have no intention of letting him leave within a year of his arrival. And rejecting Napoli’s approach suggests Liverpool do indeed want to keep Tsimikas for longer.
Giuntoli must now turn his attention to alternative options he can sign to strengthen Spalletti’s squad on the cheap. Klopp’s £60,000-per-week full-back will likely not be the one, as he looks to challenge Andrew Robertson on Merseyside next season.
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