Football
Ben Gadwell 9y

Napoli confident of January deal for Sampdoria's Manolo Gabbiadini

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has given the biggest hint yet that his side are on the verge of signing striker Manolo Gabbiadini from Serie A rivals Sampdoria.

Gabbiadini, 23, is reported to have already agreed terms with the Partenopei, with the deal set to be confirmed as soon as the winter transfer market opens on Jan. 1.

When asked if his goal against Udinese on Sunday was his last for the Blucerchiati, the Italy international responded with "maybe." Although Gabbiadini's current coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has not given up hope of keeping him, the indications are he will be wearing a Napoli shirt against Juventus on Jan. 11.

He cannot make a potential Napoli debut in the trip to Cesena on Jan. 6 due to a one-match suspension, but that, according to De Laurentiis, could well be a good thing as he practically confirmed the transfer was complete.

"It just means that he will be fully fit when he does get here," De Laurentiis told reporters in Doha, where Napoli are preparing to meet Juve in the Italian Supercoppa on Monday evening.

De Laurentiis was equally forthright about the future of coach Rafael Benitez, whose contract is up for renewal in the summer.

While De Laurentiis would prefer to carry on working with the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager, he says at the same time that his club would not fall apart without the Spaniard.

"We're talking about a coach of international standing and I like his culture a lot. I would be delighted if we manage to convince him with our project," he said. "If not, then we'll cope. Chelsea didn't fall apart after he left them."

Benitez has already brought one trophy to Naples -- winning last season's Coppa Italia -- and he has the opportunity to add another to the club's trophy cabinet while enriching his own list of accolades on Monday night when Napoli face the Bianconeri.

"In our hearts and in our minds, we are ready for this," Benitez said at a news conference. "Juve have proven that they are the strongest club in Italy right now and they are ahead of everybody, but this is a one-off game and we've got to take our chances with the right mentality. We're convinced in our own potential and we can win it."

Victory would earn Benitez the 12th trophy of his career so far, including a Supercoppa triumph with Inter Milan in 2010.

"It's not about me," he added. "It's a final and the team will be charged up even without my input. We want to give the people of Naples great joy."

^ Back to Top ^