Benitez eyes City ace as backup plan.Napoli manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly set his sights on the signing of Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic if star player Gonzalo Higuain turns down the offer of a new contract, according to Fichajes.net.
With Argentine hot-shot Higuain seemingly a top target for La Liga giants Barcelona in this summer’s transfer window, Napoli face the prospect of losing their top goalscorer just one season after they signed him from Real Madrid.
With 24 goals and 11 assists in all competitions in 2013/14, Higuain will prove a tough act to replace, but Jovetic is Benitez’s first choice to come in upfront after he previously starred in Serie A with Fiorentina.
The Montenegro international has not enjoyed the same success at the Etihad Stadium, enduring numerous injury problems in his first season in the Premier League, though he did end the campaign with a winner’s medal.
Still, it is thought that City could be open to offers to let the 24-year-old leave the club, and Napoli will then be ready to pounce if they cannot keep Higuain from leaving the Stadio San Paolo.
The hope for Napoli is that they can at least convince Higuain to sign a contract that would increase his buy-out clause to around £55m, as various reports suggest he could currently leave for less than that.
SEE ALSO: The top 10 best selling football kits.