Chelsea have been boosted in their race for Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, according to Mario Giuffredi.
Ghoulam, aged 26, is yet to extend his contract with the Italian side, and it’s set to expire at the end of the season. This means he can agree to join a club on a free transfer already in January.
Giuffredi, the agent of Ghoulam’s Portuguese team-mate Mario Rui has shed a light on the Algerian left-back’s future.
“I’m sure that as soon as he’s ready Mario Rui will demonstrate his worth even if, it has to be said, Ghoulam is irreplaceable right now.
I don’t think Ghoulam will renew with Napoli and it’s enough to think that in four months he’ll be able to sign for whoever he wants for nothing. He could earn €5m and if I were his agent I’d do that, and I don’t think the others are stupid.
I don’t believe these stories that Ghoulam wants to renew, if he wanted to renew he’d already have done it. Besides, with the way he’s playing Napoli can’t afford to put him in the stands. After August 31, it’s the player who has the handle of the knife.”
-Â Mario Giuffredi, The Sun
According to Algerian newspaper Le Buteur, Chelsea are ready to offer Ghoulam a €5m-per-year deal to join the Blues in January.
Liverpool are also known to be keen on Ghoulam, as Jurgen Klopp is hoping to strengthen his defence with new recruiments as soon as possible.
