Sassuolo right-back Sime Vrsaljko says he would prefer to join Atletico Madrid over Napoli and is "optimistic" a deal will be completed this summer.
It has been regularly reported in the Spanish media that Atletico are interested in signing Croatia international Vrsaljko to act as competition for current first-choice right-back Juanfran, and they are said to be willing to pay around €15 million.
Serie A sides Napoli, Juventus and Napoli have also been linked with the former Dinamo Zagreb and Genoa defender, though, with his current club Sassuolo reported to be holding out for €18 million.
Speaking from Croatia's Euro 2016 camp, where he is currently understudying national captain Darijo Srno, the 24-year-old told Sportske Novosti: "Right from the first moment that this possibility started to take shape, I told the Sassuolo management that Atletico Madrid was the only club I wanted to join.
"I also told them I don't want to go to Napoli even though a transfer was all agreed."
He added: "I can say, at least for what I know, that Atletico and Sassuolo should close the deal," he said. "I am optimistic."
Champions League runners-up Atletico announced on Thursday that they had agreed a deal for Argentina playmaker Nicolas Gaitan with Benfica.