Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists his side will be ready for the start of the new season but would not discuss prospective signing Michu.
A deal to bring the Spanish forward to San Paolo from Swansea City is said to be all but complete.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists his side will be ready for the start of the new season but would not discuss prospective signing Michu.
A deal to bring the Spanish forward to San Paolo from Swansea City is said to be all but complete.
However, speaking at a Press conference today the film producer refused to confirm the signing and also played down speculation linking the Partenopei with a move for Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva.
“I can’t discuss that [Michu],” De Laurentiis said to the journalists gathered.
“Lucas? There are certain players who might or might not be part of the project of the club they are at, but you can’t know this straight after a World Cup.
“We can’t wait until the final four days of the window, but we also need to think about selling. There is no need to worry.”
De Laurentiis then moved to reassure fans that the Azzurri will be ready for what will be a challenging start to the campaign, which will include a Champions League play-off tie.
“Before the final days of the window we will have the Champions League qualifiers and we will go into them prepared.
“The important thing is that Rafa [Benitez] is still with us. He is vital to our growth.
“[Next season] we will have the return of Zuniga, Maggio, Hamsik, Mesto, players who did not play much last year.
“If we had had them in top form, we would have finished at least second and we would have fought until the end. Are we or are we not the club who gave the World Cup the third most players?”
Finally, the President stressed Napoli would be aiming high this year and reaffirmed his confidence in the methods of Coach Benitez.
“The targets are always the maximum. By choosing Benitez there has been a complete change, a change in style of play and mentality.
“This way of playing is the one used by clubs of international prestige.”