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Napoli have been told they have a month to pay Jean Michael Seri's release clause if they want to fix a price with Nice.

The Serie A side are interested in signing the Ivorian midfielder and can sign him for €40m. If the deadline passes, the French club will be able to demand a higher price if they wish.

“We hope to have positive news from Naples in the next few hours,” the player's agent Franklin Mala told CalcioNapoli24.

“There’s been informal contact with Napoli, but still no step forward from [Aurelio] De Laurentiis’ club. We’re ready to meet Napoli. Napoli are in pole position, Seri prefers Naples to anywhere else. Napoli need to speed up in every way to close the deal.

“His €40m release clause expires on July 15, so they have to pay it by that date. After July 15, Nice can ask for any amount.

"There are two Premier League teams in for Seri but I can’t say anything else. Image rights? Not a problem.”

Manchester City are also interested in Seri as they consider alternatives to Jorginho. The Italian remains their priority target in midfield but the Blues have backup plans that also include Mario Lemina and Mateo Kovacic after running into difficulties agreeing a price with Napoli.

Patrick Vieira, having just left the City Football Group to take over at Nice, may also be able to influence any deal for Seri.