Kostas Tsimikas would not say no to joining Napoli this summer as the Serie A side remains locked in talks with Liverpool over the left-back, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Napoli Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli has been in contact with Liverpool over a deal for Tsimikas for a few week weeks. He is desperate to solve Luciano Spalletti’s need for a new option in the position ahead of the new season.
Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso is Giuntoli’s top target and will imminently intensify talks with Thomas Tuchel’s side. However, the Stamford Bridge natives want €20m (£17m) for the Spaniard, which the Stadio Diego Armanda Maradona side consider excessive.
Giuntoli is loath to pay Chelsea’s asking price with Alonso in the final year of his contract. But it is unlikely the west Londoners will accept the Naples outfit’s request for a loan deal. So, Napoli are ready to turn to alternative options, hence talks with Liverpool for Tsimikas.
Napoli will not wait forever for Chelsea and hope for a decision on Alonso, or his teammate Emerson Palmieri under the request of Spalletti, within the next week. If the Blues continue to reject Giuntoli’s offers, he will then ramp up Napoli’s bid to sign Tsimikas from Liverpool.
Tsimikas does not reject the idea of leaving Anfield for life in the Serie A with the Azzurri. He wants to play more regularly next season after struggling to establish a prominent role on Merseyside last term.
The Reds beat competition from Napoli to sign Tsimikas from Olympiacos for £12m last August. But Klopp only started him three times over seven appearances, and offered five Premier League minutes throughout the 2020/21 campaign.
Does Tsimikas hold the cards in Napoli and Liverpool negotiations?
The next seven days could be crucial, then, in Napoli’s search for a new left-back and Tsimikas’ future at Liverpool. Giuntoli will target the £60,000-per-week Greek if Alonso or Emerson is not leaving Chelsea, and he may want to go.
But Liverpool are less likely to consider a deal with Napoli than Tsimikas is. The Liverpool Echo reported in June that the Reds are pleased with his progress in training and have no intention of letting him leave. But the player’s will may be key if he still questions his role.
That, plus a high loan fee, is also what Corriere dello Sport now report Napoli hope can see them sign Tsimikas from Liverpool this summer. Handing Spalletti a player Klopp lauded on his arrival last year for his ambition and competitive streak.
“Kostas knows from personal experience what is required to challenge and succeed domestically and in the Champions League, and he is ambitious for more – just like us,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.
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