Rafa Benitez set to bring another Spaniard to Naples.
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Napoli are on the verge of signing Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol according to Spanish newspaper El Pais.
The Serie A giants were recently taken over by former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez, who appears to have used his connections in Spain to secure the signing of the accomplished centre-back.
Benitez knows Albiol well from their time together at La Liga giants Valencia and is reportedly keen to link up with the defender again as he looks to put his stamp on the Napoli side.
It is thought that the deal is set to be completed for a fee close to the £10 million mark.
Albiol has spent much of his Real Madrid career on the bench, especially under the reign of Jose Mourinho, who preferred to play Portuguese defender Pepe and Spanish centre-back Sergio Ramos at the heart of defence.
Albiol’s first team prospects have since declined even further following the breakthrough of young defender Rapahel Varane at the Bernabeu.
The French centre-back is tipped to have a bright future in the game, further decreasing Albiol’s chances of first-team football and it is understood that persuaded him to agree to a move elsewhere.
The move will hardly dent Napoli’s transfer budget, as they still have plenty to spare from Edinson Cavani’s £55 million move to PSG.