Thursday, 22nd August, 2013
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez is not one for all-or-nothing approaches in the transfer window, with Ajax's Toby Alderweireld now joining the list of Martin Skrtel alternatives.
Benitez had been very keen on bringing his former Liverpool man Skrtel over from Anfield, but was blocked from the very outset.
Indeed, a £10m bid for Skrtel was rejected by Liverpool yesterday, who want to keep the Slovakian despite recruiting Kolo Toure for a similar role.
As a result, Thomas Vermalen from Arsenal had been mooted as an option for Benitez, who has now added Alderweireld as well, according to Tuttosport.
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There is a very good chance the Ajax centre-back is willing for a switch, but even here Benitez will square off against Liverpool who have been heavily interested.
Despite that, Alderweireld was very close to sealing a move to Spartak Moscow, even as the transfer fell through, reportedly over wage demands.
Alderweireld is understood to prefer England over any other destination, but the prospect of Champions League football may have a different result in the matter.
Neither Liverpool nor fellow suitors Tottenham Hotspur are playing in Europe's elite this season, while Napoli have been backed for an extended run thanks to a host of summer signings.
The Serie A club are also expected to not baulk at any transfer-fee issues, having sold Edinson Cavani for a whopping €64.5m to Paris Saint-Germain.
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