Tuesday, 22nd July, 2014
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has made Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva a transfer priority for the Italian club this summer.
Benitez had been considering a move for the Brazilian, while also weighing up several other options, including Lyon's Maxime Gonalons and Tottenham Hotspur's Sandro.
However, with other deals difficult, Benitez has opted to prioritise signing Lucas, according to Italian daily Corriere dello Sport.
The Napoli coach knows Lucas well, having signed him for Liverpool during his time in charge at Anfield.
And now the Spanish tactician wants to snap up the Brazilian once again, as he bids to strengthen a squad which finished third in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia last season.
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Lucas is under contract with Liverpool until 2017 and it remains to be seen if the Reds are open to cashing in on him.
The midfielder missed out on a spot in Brazil's World Cup squad this summer.
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