Napoli could pick up ex-Roma defender Juan Jesus if Kostas Manolas goes to Olympiacos, because Juventus won’t release Daniele Rugani on loan, claim Sportitalia.
The Partenopei are giving some serious thought to a proposal from Olympiacos, as Manolas would like a return home to Greece after many years in Italy, while Sebastiano Luperto has joined Empoli on loan.
Rugani had been the first choice to replace him, but Juve won’t allow the centre-back to leave on loan this summer following the departure of Merih Demiral towards Sassuolo.
According to Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, Napoli are instead turning to Juan Jesus, as the Brazilian is a free agent after his contract with Roma expired.
The 30-year-old has already worked with Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti and is an old hand in Serie A since 2012, first at Inter and then Roma.
Meanwhile, another defender who had been linked with Napoli was Piero Hincapié of Ecuador and Talleres.
However, this afternoon he officially completed his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen for €8m.