Gerard Deulofeu is inching closer to a move to Napoli, but the prospective buyers need to up their bid to convince Udinese.
UDINE, ITALY - MAY 14: Gerard Deulofeu of Udinese Calcio looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Spezia Calcio at Dacia Arena on May 14, 2022 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Unai Emery Wants Udinese Ace Forward at Villarreal

Following Napoli’s failure to secure a deal for Gerard Deulofeu, Udinese have been contacted by former Europa League champions Villarreal for his signature. As per TuttoUdinese (via Tuttomercatoweb), the La Masia youth product could still very well leave Udine, with the southeast of Spain being a very likely destination.

He is reportedly ‘liked very much’ by Villarreal coach Unai Emery, who is understood to have directed his superiors at the club to make a move. The Friuli expect nothing less than a transfer market price of €20M, but Villarreal may want to lure him on loan first before making the move permanent.

Links between the two parties are only in the initial stages, with further advanced negotiations touted to take place in the coming week. The Spanish outfit will look to finalize the deal before the transfer market deadline on September 1.

Apart from Napoli and Villarreal, Marseille have also expressed interest in the former Watford forward. But as of the moment, it is the Yellow Submarines leading the race for his signature. Deulofeu has 16 goals in 53 appearances for Udinese since joining them first on loan.

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