Report opening Diouf offer rejected as Napoli need 25m

LYON, FRANCE – AUGUST 05: Andy Diouf #20 of Team France inspects the pitch prior to the Men’s semifinal match between France and Egypt during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Lyon on August 05, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

There are reports Napoli saw an opening €20m offer for RC Lens midfielder Andy Diouf rejected, as the asking price is closer to €25m.

It is no secret that the Partenopei are seeking reinforcements in the middle of the park, having seen proposals rejected for Milan player Yunus Musah.

Another candidate on their radar is Fabio Miretti of Juventus, but he sustained a muscular injury during a pre-season friendly that means he will be out of action for several weeks.

With all of that in mind, Calciomercato.com, transfer pundits Matteo Moretto and Fabrizio Romano all suggest that Napoli are turning towards a new name in Ligue 1.

It is Diouf, who turned 22 in May and is under contract with RC Lens until June 2028.

Napoli see first Diouf proposal turned down

SEVILLE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 20: Andy Diouf of RC Lens looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and RC Lens at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 20, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) — SEVILLE, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 20: Andy Diouf of RC Lens looks on during the UEFA Champions match between Sevilla FC and RC Lens at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 20, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

According to these reports, Napoli had already seen an opening €20m offer rejected, because the asking price is closer to €25m.

Lens paid €14m to purchase the player from FC Basel in the summer of 2023, with his previous clubs including Stades Rennes and the Paris Saint-Germain youth academy.

Diouf has two senior caps for France and was part of the Olympic squad as well as a regular for the Under-21 team, which has all earned him interest from the Premier League too.