Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reportedly taken to personally conducting transfer negotiations for Darwin Nunez as the Italian champions look to seal a deal.
Nunez joined Liverpool in a £85million club record transfer three years ago but he appears ready to leave after taking on a bit-part role under Arne Slot.
The 25-year-old bagged five goals and three assists in the Premier League last season as Liverpool romped to victory but only started on eight occasions.
He appears likely to move on from Anfield this summer and Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Al-Hilal have all turned their attention to the Uruguayan.
Antonio Conte’s side are keen to bolster their attack as they look to reduce their reliance on Romelu Lukaku and challenge for a second consecutive Serie A title and in the latter stages of the Champions League next season.
And De Laurentiis has now personally engaged in negotiations as he looks to push through a move, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Nunez scored five goals and claimed three assists as the Reds lifted the Premier League title
But Nunez only played a bit-part role under Arne Slot, starting just eight times in the league
Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool in a £85million club record transfer from Benfica in 2022
While Nunez is said to be open to joining the Naples outfit, talks have stalled in recent weeks.
Napoli’s president therefore decided to take it into his own hands, personally speaking to Fali Ramadani, who is brokering the deal.
The Serie A champions have not yet agreed a transfer fee with Liverpool but Liverpool are thought to be holding out for €60m (£51m).
But Napoli are reluctant to offer more than €43m (£37m), despite it being less than half of the fee Liverpool paid Benfica in 2022.
Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca is Napoli’s alternative but the 24-year-old Italy international would cost at least €40m (£34m).
If Nunez were to complete a move to Napoli he would link up with a number of ex-Premier League stars.
Antonio Conte led Napoli to a stunning Serie A victory last season, their second in 35 years
Arne Slot won the Premier League in his opening season at the club but Nunez still may leave
Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay won Serie A Player of the Season in May, while he lines up with Scotland team-mate and ex-Chelsea Billy Gilmour.
Kevin De Bryune completed a move to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium last month and Rasmus Hojlund and Trevoh Chalobah have also been linked with the club.
