Villa, West Ham forced to think again over Serie A title winner as Chelsea target’s ambition becomes clearer
Reports claim Hirving Lozano is only interested in joining a top-level Premier League outfit, with Chelsea one of the clubs linked to the winger.
The Blues are currently in the process of trying to balance the books, with many players heading for the exit. New manager Maurizio Pochettino has been charged with the task of trimming his squad after 18 months of suspect recruitment. Mason Mount seems destined for Manchester United although the Red Devils are stalling on paying the figure the Blues require.
Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy are also likely to leave.
But the Argentinian tactician is also looking to add to his squad as he tries to fashion a side capable of challenging once again.
Last season’s 12th-place finish was deemed unacceptable for a club the size of Chelsea. And with the talented coach in charge, expectation is high of a top-four return.
The west Londoners were linked with a move for Lozano back in March.
The Mexico international enjoyed a stellar season as Napoli romped to the Serie A title.
And it appears as though a few top clubs are now circling Stadio Diego Armando Maradona looking at Napoli’s best players.
Both West Ham United and Aston Villa have been mentioned in connection with the winger.
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However, it seems as though he is setting his sights a bit higher. The Premier League duo could both offer Euroepan football.
Villa are in the Europa Conference League while West Ham qualified for the Europa League via their Conference triumph.
But Lozano is not looking at those in claret and blue.
Lozano lofty ambitions push Chelsea to front of queue
Lozano joined Napoli from PSV in August 2019 having scored 40 goals from 79 outings for the Eredivisie side.
He has bagged 30 for the Italians from 155 appearances in all competitions. And it seems as though he wants to test his skills at a higher level.
His agent and intermediary, Alessandro Monfrecola, has now opened up on the wide man’s ambitions.
“West Ham and Aston Villa have shown interest in Lozano, but it seems to be a timid interest,” he told Radio Punto Nuovo.
“Lozano has always dreamed of clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United, so I don’t think he can be very attracted to them [the other two].”
Those comments seem to rule out the Hammers and Villans.
There has been no word on whether Jurgen Klopp or Erik ten Hag see the Mexican as part of their summer transfer plans.
But if they do, they will not have to twist his arm to get a deal over the line.
The spectre of Saudi Arabia is also hanging over Lorenzo’s future. The Middle East nation are busy recruiting as many top-name stars as possible.
However, they might struggle to get Lorenzo on board if Monfrecola is to be believed.
“I was surprised by Saudi Arabia’s interest in Lozano,” he added.
“Even in Mexico they are, everyone is convinced that the boy would have left Napoli only for the Premier League, now they are perplexed by the news.”