Monday, 11th February, 2013
Napoli are close to coming to an agreement with Lazio defender Modibo Diakite, according to the player’s agent.
Diakite has not signed a new contract in Rome and his current deal runs out at the end of the season.
The defender has been unable to reach an agreement with Lazio president Claudio Lotito and has looked to be heading for the exit door for quite some time.
English Premier League side Liverpool were believed to be in pole position to sign the 25-year-old on a free transfer in the summer, especially after his agent admitted that the Reds are the Frenchman’s first choice.
"Liverpool is our first choice in June, but there is no hurry", Ulisse Savini explained last month.
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Now though it seems the picture has changed, with a stay in Serie A likely – and at Napoli.
"There has been serious contact with Napoli, but the agreement is not fully in place yet", Savini told Radio Marte.
"We have not got the final detail and this should happen in the next few days or the next week.
"We have decided to let the contract with Lazio run out."
Diakite has been frozen out of first team action by Lazio this season due to his refusal to pen a new contract.
He now appears set to link up with Edinson Cavani and co. in southern Italy.
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