Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly interested in Lorenzo Insigne and are likely to have a duel in pursuit of the Napoli forward.
The Guardian‘s rumour mill have reported that Chelsea and Liverpool are set for an intriguing battle in the transfer market. Lorenzo Insigne is the latest client of Mino Raiola to be linked with a move, with the Napoli forward being eyed by the Premier League duo.
Lorenzo Insigne has had an interesting career so far. Like Marek Hamsik, Insigne has also stayed loyal to Napoli throughout his career, at least since breaking into the first-team setup in the 2009-10 season and becoming a regular ultimately in the 2012-13 campaign.
A left winger, Insigne has really developed his skills, evolving into a goalscoring outlet boasting of incredible numbers from out wide. While the star did finish top scorer in the 2013-14 season, he returned admirable numbers in the 2017-18 season as well, with a total of 14 goals and as many assists in 48 games.
Insigne has reportedly started drawing interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.
Chelsea have been looking to strengthen their wings for a while now. The Blues boast of Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard as the only options for the wing. In case of injuries or suspensions, Chelsea could struggle, which is what has compelled the Blues to scour the market for an able winger.
Lorenzo Insigne makes sense for the Blues, with the player having worked under Maurizio Sarri, meaning he would be a perfect fit into the Chelsea system as Sarri continues implementing ‘Sarri-ball’ at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool’s interest though, is surprising. Having shored up their options with the arrival of Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer, a pursuit for Insigne could enrage the Swiss international, with Shaqiri yet to be provided much of a look-in into the squad.
The report iterates that Napoli have verbally agreed to insert a £178 million release clause in Insigne’s contract, which would enable them to protect their asset. While Liverpool are unlikely to make a move, this would prevent Maurizio Sarri from poaching any more of Napoli stars, something club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has already highlighted.
As far as Insigne is concerned, he seems to be loving life and football at Napoli and is unlikely to warrant a move away, unless his status changes at the club. Chelsea and Liverpool will have to look elsewhere.
