Napoli are set to launch a £60 million bid for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha as they step up their pursuit of a big-money winger.
The Serie A side had targeted Zaha’s Ivory Coast team-mate Nicolas Pepe but failed to land the 24-year-old, who has agreed a move to Arsenal.
Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti has now turned his attentions to Zaha, 26, who is open to a move abroad.
Arsenal’s capture of Pepe has denied Zaha the chance of a dream move to his boyhood club, who had a £40m bid rejected by Palace.
The Gunners also saw follow-up approaches, which included players in part-exchange, knocked back by Palace chairman Steve Parish.
Everton then tried their luck with a move for Zaha but saw their £55m offer turned down and were told the Eagles’s star man was not for sale.
But Napoli are now preparing to test Palace’s resolve with an opening offer in the region of £60m and hope the south Londoners will be willing to soften their stance on Zaha if any deal involved the player joining a foreign club.
Zaha has told Palace he wants to leave Selhurst Park this summer and also outlined his ambitions to play Champions League at the end of last season, something Napoli can offer after finishing second in Serie A. –Mailonline
