How It Fell Apart – Agent Reveals Background of Napoli Failed Attempt to Sign Lille Winger | OneFootball

Lille winger Edon Zhegrova emerged as a top candidate to take Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s place at Napoli last summer. However, the deal collapsed at the 11th hour, with the Kosovo international staying in Ligue 1 despite being a step away from joining Antonio Conte’s charges.

Though it’s been a while since Napoli and Lille walked away from negotiations, Zhegrova’s entourage, Serxhio Mezi, shed a new light on the matter.

“We have already had contact with Napoli this summer,” he told StileTV via CN24. “They had established a gentleman’s agreement then the Partenopei parked the boy and, in the end, Kvaratskhelia did not go to PSG and Zhegrova returned to play.

“The boy was also looking for a villa in Naples, he wanted Naples but now I find it difficult to close it with Napoli,” he continued. “We also had a concrete offer from Barcelona so I see it as difficult that I can arrive in Naples now.“

Despite selling Kvaratskhelia to Paris in January, Napoli failed to rekindle talks with Lille. Instead, they signed Noah Okafor from Milan on a short-term loan. However, there’s no doubt Conte’s men must fill the Georgian’s shoes in the summer.

Whether Napoli can lure Zhegrova to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after last summer’s shenanigans remains questionable.

“Napoli must first resolve the problems within the club,” Zhegrova’s agent added. “We all know that Conte is not happy with the purchases but today I tell you that the coach has had two bombshell phone calls from two important Serie A clubs for next year.”