Napoli are pushing to beat Inter Milan to the signing of Spain international defender Mario Hermoso on a free transfer.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. They report that the Partenopei are offering Hermoso wages of €4 million net per season plus add-ons.

Hermoso’s name is certainly one of the big ones remaining available on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old’s contract with Atletico Madrid ran out at the end of last month.

There have been a number of clubs pursuing Hermoso. Premier League sides Aston Villa and West Ham United had been among these.

And not surprisingly, Inter have also shown an interest in signing Hermoso.

Free transfer signings are a pillar of the Nerazzurri’s transfer strategy under President and CEO Beppe Marotta.

That is the route via which all of Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Andre Onana, and Marcus Thuram arrived at the Nerazzurri.

Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zielinski followed them this summer.

And Hermoso could be a third big name free transfer signing of the summer transfer window.

Moreover, Inter are specifically in search of a left-sided defender. This would be to allow Carlos Augusto to play exclusively on the left flank whilst wingback Tajon Buchanan is absent.

Napoli Pushing To Beat Inter To Signing Of Mario Hermoso

Hermoso would certainly be a player who suits Inter’s 3-5-2 system.

But the Nerazzurri are not the only team in Serie A who will be using that formation next season.

Napoli are certainly expected to switch to a back three after appointing former Inter, Juventus, and Chelsea coach Antonio Conte this summer.

And Conte has already signed Rafa Marin and Alessandro Buongiorno as defenders who can adapt to his style of play.

Hermoso could be a third.

Tuttosport report that Napoli are now pushing to sign the Spaniard. They have offered a deal worth €4 million net per season plus add-ons.

The Partenopei are hoping this is enough to convince Hermoso to sign for them ahead of Inter.

The Nerazzurri, meanwhile, appear to be focusing their energy on a deal for Hellas Verona’s Juan Cabal.