Chelsea and Liverpool register interest in Fouzi Ghoulam

Bengaluru, September 6: Anonio conte’s Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Max Allegri’s Juventus are set to fight it out for Napoli full-back Faouzi Ghoulam in January, according to reports.

The Premier League giants join Serie A champions Juventus in the hunt for the Algerian international to bolster their defence in the winter transfer window.

Ghoulam is highly unlikely to sign a new contract with Napoli and his current deal expires next summer.

Napoli will have to lose the attacking left-back for nothing next summer which is why it is claimed that they will be looking to cash in on the Algerian in January and reinvest on a replacement.

Antonio Conte's Blues and Jurgen Klopp's Reds had been linked with the full-back this summer but the move never materialised.

The 35 times capped Algeria international, who also earned two caps for France’s Under-21 side, is reportedly eager to join Juventus as he loves life in Italy and does not want to relocate to England.

Liverpool and Chelsea could be tempted to splash the cash in a cut-price deal this winter in a bid to boost their back-lines.

Both the clubs’s squad depth will be tested this season as they contest in the Champions League this season and are also expected to fight for the Premier League title.

Liverpool do have two decent options at left-back with new signing Andrew Robertson and much-improved Alberto Moreno with James Milner also being able to do a job if needed. However, Chelsea do not have any quality option at left-back apart from Marcus Alonso.

Ghoulam has been at Napoli since 2013, when he joined after four seasons at French side Saint-Etienne. In his four seasons in Italy, the Algerian has racked up an impressive 100 Serie A appearances, scoring twice.

Ghoulam is an experienced player and is one of the rare full-backs who excels both attacking wise and defensively, and would be a welcome addition at any club.