Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that Chelsea is close to completing a €65million (£57.5m) combined deal to appoint Maurizio Sarri as their new head coach and sign Italy international midfielder Jorginho.
Sarri has been Blues’ top choice to replace Antonio Conte, but the Premier League club has been trying to pull the 59-year-old from his contract since May, with De Laurentiis holding out for a reported €8m (£7m) in compensation.
However, both clubs have reached an agreement, which will also include Jorginho.
“[Sarri to Chelsea] is about to happen, it just depends on him,” De Laurentiis said after a news conference to introduce Carlo Ancelotti as Sarri’s replacement on Wednesday.
“My lawyers have written up the paperwork which has been passed on to his lawyers and now we’ll just have to see.
“Although I consider [Jorginho] a great player, for Ancelotti’s style of play and in view of the [lack of] credibility from the Chinese for [Marek] Hamsik, we’ve decided to accept the request which first came from Manchester City, and I have to apologise to them.
“I’d agreed a deal with them a fortnight ago, resolving various issues, but the player prefers London to Manchester and I can understand him, and then Chelsea are going to pay him more so I can understand him even more and I can’t do anything about it.
“Jorginho joining Chelsea does not depend on Sarri [joining Chelsea].”
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