Thursday, 22nd August, 2013
Napoli have switched their attention to Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen after failing with a bid to sign Martin Skrtel from Liverpool.
Rafael Benitez's men are keen to sign another central defender this summer – and Skrtel had been the former Liverpool manager's preferred target. A bid of £10m though, turned down by the Reds, has caused a rethink at Napoli HQ.
And according to Naples-based radio station Radio Kiss Kiss, it is Belgian defender Vermaelen who is now attracting eyeballs at Napoli, even if he is currently injured.
The Serie A side could have signed Davide Astori from Cagliari, but a deal was called off, making Vermaelen an ever likelier target.
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The former Ajax man saw himself slip out of the preferred starting eleven at the Emirates Stadium last season and cannot afford a campaign warming the bench with the World Cup next summer.
Napoli have splashed serious cash this summer, bolstered by the sale of Edinson Cavani to Napoli for €64.5m.
Benitez has bought goalkeeper Rafael, defender Raul Albiol, winger Dries Mertens, forward Jose Callejon and striker Gonzalo Higuain, while shot-stopper Pepe Reina has landed on loan.
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