Manchester United ace Matteo Darmian wanted by Italian giants Napoli as they plot how to spend Gonzalo Higuain cash
Red Devils defender linked with Old Trafford exit after just one season in England as Serie A club prepare tempting offer
NAPOLI will use some of the cash from Gonzalo Higuain’s Juventus switch to fund a move for Manchester United ace Matteo Darmian, according to reports.
The versatile full-back only joined the Red Devils a year ago for £12million but has been linked with a return to Italy following the appointment of Jose Mourinho.
The Special One is reportedly ready to ditch Darmian after just 28 appearances for the club, and former side Chelsea have been linked with a move.
Antonio Conte deployed Darmian out-wide for Italy at Euro 2016, and the defender’s ability to play on either flank would come in handy for either a four-man and a three-man defensive system.
Serie A champions Juventus have also been linked despite signing Dani Alves on a free transfer from Barcelona, but newspaper claims Napoli are now frontrunners for Darmian’s signature.
The Italians are on the verge of receiving a whopping £79m from Juventus after Higuain agreed personal terms and passed a medical at the weekend, and Aurelio De Laurentiis is ready to reinvest some of the money on new signings.
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Defence is believed to be a priority, and the report states that Darmian is Napoli’s ‘dream’ target this summer.
The 26-year-old is said to not be in Mourinho’s plans for the season, paving the way for a return to Italian football.
And it’s not just Darmian on Napoli’s shopping list, with Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi favourite to replace Higuain at the San Paolo.
The striker – linked with a move to Arsenal – could cost as much as £46m, but there are doubts that star centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly will remain in Naples for much longer.
The Senegal international is trying to force a move abroad, with two Premier League clubs desperate to snap him up.
Agent Bruno said: “The desire of the player is to leave the club, not renew. Chelsea and Everton are still interested as they are both searching for a central defender of his quality.”