Liverpool are looking to offload their holding midfielder Lucas Leiva with Napoli poised to pounce, talks between the sides have seen Napoli tell Liverpool to wait for a bid until after they’ve qualified for the Champions League.
Napoli face Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of their champions League qualifier after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, a tie that can obviously go either way and Napoli don’t want to invest too heavily until they’ve secured a place in Europe’s top competition.
The loan fee seems to have been agreed at £1.6 million and if the move turns out successful then a permanent transfer will take place next summer around the £8million mark.
Liverpool are happy to let Lucas, 27, go after 7 years at the club after failing to secure a starting position in the recent seasons with Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson first picks for the central midfield places.
The move of course all hinges on the result of Napoli’s crucial qualifier but the move in principal is said to suit both clubs and the Brazilian.
By Alastair Cook