Napoli More Likely To Pursue Inter’s Icardi As Pepe & James Disappear

Napoli are increasingly likely to chase Mauro Icardi as their big-money signing this summer, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Partenopei wanted either Nicolas Pepe or James Rodriguez for Carlo Ancelotti, but now seem poised to miss out on both.

Aurelio De Laurentiis did not take the chance to make an offer or Icardi yesterday, despite meeting Inter’s CEO Beppe Marotta at Serie A’s fixture ceremony in Milan.

However, this is part of the Napoli owner’s ‘soft approach’ strategy, as he waits for his sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli to agree personal terms with Wanda Nara.

“We’re a long way from the finish line, but if Pepe really does join Arsenal and James is not allowed to move from the Spanish capital then it would be inevitable they accelerated for Icardi,” the paper reported this morning.

Icardi would still prefer a move to Juventus for the moment, but that would become impossible if the Bianconeri succeeded in swapping Paulo Dybala for Romelu Lukaku.

Marotta and Piero Ausilio rate Inter’s former captain at €80 million for now, as they remain determined not to sell Icardi on the cheap.

Inter asked Napoli for information regarding Fabian Ruiz, Piotr Zielinski and Allan back in May, but De Laurentiis had no intention of selling any.

Arkadiusz Milik could now be sacrificed as part of a deal for Icardi, but the Nerazzurri don’t appear to consider the Poland international a priority.