Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool have been dealt a severe blow in their pursuit of Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka.
According to a report in Tuttomercatoweb, Stanislav Lobotka has agreed to a long-term contract with Serie A giants Napoli. He will put pen to paper to reject all kinds of rumours linking him with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United very soon.
The Slovakian international has impressed the Napoli hierarchy and is now set to be rewarded with an improved contract. According to the report, he will earn in the region of €3 million per season as per the new contract and will also be richer by a substantial signing bonus.
The Slovak already has a contract which runs until 2025 but will sign a new six-year deal with an option for another year. Jurgen Klopp got a taste of his own medicine when Napoli thrashed Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, with Lobotka dictating terms from the heart of the midfield.
Liverpool could lose three of their midfielders in the summer and will be left to rue if the 27-year-old signs an extension. Lobotka has made Napoli look like a well-oiled machine as he, alongside Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, has helped the Serie A giants create a stronghold in midfield.
Manchester United did witness the arrival of two maestros at Old Trafford. And the contribution of both Christian Eriksen and Caemiro have been immense in their recent revival.
But Erik ten Hag would fancy another combative midfielder in his squad as the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay do not seem to be consistent enough as far as the current standard of the Premier League is concerned.
Like Liverpool, Chelsea were also expected to line up a move for Lobotka, as N’Golo Kante and Jorginho will be out of contract next summer. Both the midfielders have been a pivotal part of the Blues’ midfield, but the Chelsea hierarchy wants to replace them with a relatively experienced player.
Lobotka has been of much interest to Chelsea, but it seems new co-owner Todd Boehly will have to shift his attention to another midfielder this January. The same holds true for Manchester United and Liverpool, with Lobotka set to extend his stay with Serie A giants Napoli.
