The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Napoli

  • Mertens edges closer to Napoli move

    Dries Mertens is on the verge of joining Napoli from PSV after finishing his medical with the Serie A runners’ up.

    The PSV winger is on the verge of becoming the Partenopei’s first summer signing after passing a medical on Saturday

    Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has set out to reinforce new coach Rafael Benitez’s squad in order to challenge for honours next term.

    And it now appears a formality that Mertens will become the club’s first summer signing after the 26-year-old passed his medical examination with the Partenopei.

    “Dries Mertens underwent medical tests for Napoli this [Saturday] morning. The Belgian winger landed at Capodichino airport and then was taken to Cerreto Sannita medical centre (Benevento),” a statement on the club’s website read.

    “The tests were passed and were carried out by Napoli medical staff.”

    Mertens is anticipated to put pen to paper on a five-year deal with his new club, with Napoli reportedly stumping up €9.5 million for the winger.

  • Cavani to decide future in July, says Napoli president De Laurentiis

    The Partenopei owner believes the future of their star striker will be decided when the 26-year-old comes back from the Confederations Cup for pre-season on July 20th

    Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says Edinson Cavani will decide where he will be playing next season at the end of July, when the Uruguayan returns for pre-season.

    Cavani has been heavily linked to Chelsea, Real Madrid, and previously Manchester City, before their initial proposed player-plus-cash deal involving Edin Dzeko stalled, as Goal revealed.

    The Uruguay international has scored over 100 goals for Napoli in his three seasons at the club, and De Laurentiis is confident Cavani will not leave after the clause in his contract runs out.

    “I don’t think Cavani will leave on 10th August, when his buyout clause expires,” De Laurentiis told Radio Rai.

    “I’m confident in him, because I consider him a real man. He won’t make me a joke of me.

    “Should Cavani want to leave, he will decide it after a long period of reflection. But by 20th July we will probably know everything about his future.”

    Cavani joined Napoli from Palermo in 2010 for €12 million, and has played 52 games for his country, scoring 14 goals.

  • Napoli signs Benitez

    Napoli signs Benitez

    The outgoing Chelsea manager has been confirmed by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis as the replacement to Walter Mazzarri at the Stadio San Paolo
    Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed that Rafa Benitez has been hired as the new coach at the Serie A club.

    Despite finishing second in Serie A, Walter Mazzarri parted ways with the Partenopei and, until Friday’s tease from the owner, who would replace him in the Stadio San Paolo was up in the air.

    However, De Laurentiis has ended the speculation by revealing that the outgoing Chelsea boss – who helped the Blues lift the Europa League trophy this season – will soon step into Mazzarri’s shoes on a two-year deal.

    He told Sky Sport Italiaon Friday: “I’ve given myself a birthday gift, I’ve signed Benitez. I’ll make it official in the next few days as Benitez needs to end things with Chelsea.

    “He’ll have a two-year contract, no longer. We need to get to know each other first, then we’ll see.”
    Despite achieving continental glory with the Blues and securing a Champions League spot by finishing third in the Premier League, the former Liverpool boss is not expected to remain in charge at Stamford Bridge.