Chelsea target Hirving Lozano poised to leave Napoli next summer | OneFootball

Napoli forward Hirving Lozano is set to leave the club at the end of the season, despite his current deal expiring in the summer of 2024.

The Mexican forward has played a big part in Luciano Spalletti’s side, who are racing to the Serie A title after opening up a 15-point lead at the top of the table.

Lozano has started 14 of his 24 league games, chipping in with three goals and three assists. He has also notched a goal and an assist in six Champions League games.

He has just over a year left on his current contract. However, with no signs of a new deal on the horizon, Napoli would rather sell this summer than lose him on a free transfer later on.

Italian journalist Raffaele Auriemma believes the 27-year-old is not short on admirers. He claims Chelsea are interested in the winger as manager Graham Potter likes the player’s profile.

“The Napoli players think twice before leaving,” Auriemma said (via MondoNapoli). “Right now, it’s not easy to leave the blue team.

“Almost certainly, those who can leave the Neapolitan club are Hirving Lozano and Piotr Zielinski. Chelsea likes the Mexican footballer, given that the Blues coach likes this type of winger.”

While Napoli may be keen to sell the winger, they will reportedly demand at least €50 million from any interested party next summer.

They plan to reinvest the proceeds from Lozano’s sale into a replacement and have already shortlisted Sassuolo duo Armand Lauriente and Davide Frattesi.

“In this case, the Neapolitan club can collect €50m and pay it cash into Sassuolo’s coffers to take Lauriente and Frattesi,” Auriemma continued.

“You have to see how they give them to you. The discussion changes a lot, compared to when they want to make a debt payment.”

Lozano joined Napoli from Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2019 and has racked up 144 appearances, including 30 goals and 17 assists for the Gli Azzurri.

With the end of his association with Napoli fast approaching, Lozano will be keen to help Spalletti’s side to the Scudetto to ensure he bows out with silverware.