West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna has reportedly emerged as a surprise transfer target for Serie A side Napoli.
According to an exclusive published by Si Gonfia La Rete, West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna has emerged as a possible transfer target for Napoli, as Carlo Ancelotti continues to put his own stamp on the team.
The Partenopei have already secured deals for the likes of Fabian Ruiz, Simone Verdi and Alex Meret, as they try to bridge the gap between themselves and Juventus ahead of the new season.
Napoli ran the Old Lady close to the Scudetto last term but fell away towards the end after showing so much promise throughout their campaign, finishing just four points behind.
According to Si Gonfia La Rete, Ancelotti wants to strength his defence, and has sounded out West Ham defender Ogbonna as a potential signing for his team.
The 30-year-old is under contract until 2022 at the London Stadium, and last term the Italian was pretty much an ever-present for the Hammers, making 32 appearances in the Premier League.
It is likely Ancelotti wants Ogbonna to come in as a backup defender. Certainly that would be the case if coveted duo Kalidou Koulibaly and Raul Albiol were to remain put this summer.
It is not clear at this stage if West Ham wish to sell, or if they have an asking price in mind, but Si Gonfia La Rete note that Ancelotti knows the player’s agent Giovanni Branchini, meaning this one could well have some legs.
To add further fuel to the fire, the Irons lodged a bid of £25 million to Newcastle for defender Jamaal Lascelles on Tuesday as reported by the Daily Mail, which perhaps suggests that the Londoners are trying to prepare for the former Torino man’s sale.
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