Rafa Benitez admitted he ‘had several offers’ before choosing Celta Vigo and believes Napoli can ‘do the encore’ in Serie A next season.
The Partenopei are currently working on a deal for Celta Vigo talent Gabri Veiga, believing the 21-year-old Spaniard would be the perfect addition to Rudi Garcia’s squad. He shined last season, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 36 league games.
Napoli have also placed their focus internally, tying down Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mario Rui to new contracts. Talks are also ongoing to secure star striker Victor Osimhen with a new long-term deal.
Speaking on page seven of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez first explained why he chose Celta Vigo.
“For the project. For the passion, for the centenary, because I think I can work well in a city that loves football and a team that needs to pick itself up. That’s why I signed a three-year contract.”
He was asked about the interest from other clubs, possibly including Napoli.
“I had several offers, some more concrete than others. I chose Celta and now it doesn’t seem respectful to talk about others.”
The Spaniard spoke about the Partenopei in general.
“The Scudetto came after so many years and now I see it possible to do the encore. The competition is fierce, but the team is very good and has lifted the burden of having to win the title at all costs. This is the analysis, then there’s the heart, I hope Napoli continue to win.
“They have the potential to do so, even in Europe, and I follow them with affection, when we were there, we laid the foundations by winning two titles that now with the winning of the Scudetto are rightly considered minor, but which then had their importance.
“Now the ice has been broken, the Napoli fans didn’t deserve such a long wait and I hope that many more joys will come.”
Benitez discussed La Liga and their quiet work in the transfer market.
“It is obvious that from an economic and marketing point of view the Premier League is the most glittering league, but La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 are there.
“For me between La Liga, Serie A and the Premier League there is not so much difference in many aspects, but the way of selling the product makes the Premier League more relevant.
“La Liga and Serie A have a lot of good players and the three Italian clubs in the last European finals prove that, but it’s clear that the money from the Premier League and the Saudi Arabians makes them take a lot of players.
“This can have a technical repercussion in the long run but at the moment this is not the case, La Liga and Serie A are defending themselves and are competitive.”
Finally, Benitez discussed Celta Vigo starlet Veiga, who has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli.
“Gabri had a great season last year and has the age and potential to grow and become an important player. Therefore, it is normal that he attracts the attention of top teams from other leagues, with the economic capacity to deal with his price tag.
“Today we know that there is official interest, we will see how it will turn out. For us he is so important that if he stays it’s a good thing, but I don’t know what the market will say.”