Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has passed a medical in Italy and is now very close to completing a £34.5m move to Napoli. The Argentina international, aged 25, had been linked with Arsenal this summer, but Napoli probably outbid the Gunners and the striker is now headed to Stadio San Paolo. Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has also passed a medical and will join Napoli on loan.
Napoli manager Rafael Benitez said: "We were looking for a quality player." The Spanish manager was looking to replace Edinson Cavani, who was sold for a hefty fee to Paris St-Germain.
Benitez added: "We have signed a player who comes from Real Madrid and we have signed a striker who has scored a hatful of goals and who will adapt very well to our system - an attacking system. We needed a player like this. We are all working together to ensure the players we want arrive. We have to sign players who will do well for Napoli for the next three or four years."
Higuain joined Real Madrid from River Plate in 2006 and scored 107 league goals in his seven seasons at the Bernabeu. Napoli have already brought in two Real Madrid players this summer, striker Jose Callejon and defender Raul Albiol. Winger Dries Mertens from PSV Eindhoven also joined Napoli this summer. "Players who come from clubs like Real, PSV and Liverpool can only do us good," Benitez said. "For Napoli these signings represent a quantum leap."
Napoli are 8/1 to win the Serie A at Bet365, with defending champions Juventus being the top favourites at 8/11.
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