Napoli edge closer to signing Bologna forward Simone Verdi

Napoli are showing strong interest in Simone Verdi.

According to a report from Calciomercato, Napoli are edge closer to signing Bologna forward Simone Verdi.

The Italy international was signed by Bologna in July 2016 from AC Milan for a fee of 1.5 million euros. The 25-year-old has a contract until 2021 with the club.

Since his arrival from AC Milan, Simone Verdi has scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in 55 games for Bologna, including seven goals and seven assists in 26 games in all competitions this season.

The 25-year-old is considered to be one of the best forwards in Italy.

Simone Verdi has represented Italy at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level, winning 12 caps and scoring three goals, before making his senior international debut in March 2017. As a member of Italy national football team, Verdi won two caps.

The Italy international has impressed in Serie A this season and is starting to attract the interest of bigger clubs.

Maurizio Sarri wants to sign a new forward and Simone Verdi is one of the names at the top of his wishlist.

Napoli have built a reputation for recruiting talent from within Italy, predominantly targeting those with sell-on value and immense potential.

The Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri wants to continue to strengthening his squad so they’re able to compete both domestically and in the Champions League next season.

Simone Verdi has the talent to play many roles in attack.

According to Calciomercato (via Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia)), “Simone Verdi was close to joining Napoli this past winter transfer window but in the end, the Italian international decided to stay with Bologna for the time being. Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia) have now reported that a deal between Napoli and Verdi is inches away as he is set to join Maurizio Sarri’s club come summer time. The Italian paper states that Napoli are set to re-confirm their 22 million euros plus bonuses offer to Bologna for Verdi as a deal seems very likely to occur this time around.”

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Signing the 25-year-old in the summer transfer window would be a masterstroke from Maurizio Sarri.

Stylistically, he would be a great fit in Napoli.

How strong that interest is and whether Napoli will make a move remains to be seen but it is certainly one worth keeping an eye on.