Jose Mourinho has reportedly been given the green light to sign Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam.
The Algerian, currently sidelined with a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered against Manchester City in November, is one of the best left-backs in the world and has attracted interest from a whole host of clubs, including City.
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For a while, there was a danger that Ghoulam would leave Napoli for free given that his contract was due to expire in June, but the Serie A leaders tied him down to a new deal until 2022.
However, according to Rai Sport, via Arena Napoli, Mourinho has been given the go-ahead to pay Ghoulam's €60 million release clause.
Ashley Young has been Mourinho's favoured choice at left-back this season but Ghoulam would easily slot into his starting XI if a deal can be done.
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And the transfer could be made a lot easier by the fact that Napoli would appear to have a replacement ready to come in. The same outlet says the Naples side are looking to invest in another top-quality left-back, Grimaldo of Benfica.
Ghoulam is the second Napoli player in a matter of days to be linked with United.
The Manchester Evening News are reporting that Jorginho, who only won his first cap for Italy last year, has been added to Mourinho's list of potential targets to replace Michael Carrick, who has made just one appearance this season due to a heart condition.
The 26-year-old has thrived in Naples since arriving from Verona in 2013, rising to prominence alongside the likes of Marek Hamsik, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne at the San Paolo. Playing in the deep midfield role, he has been central to all the eye-catching play Napoli have produced under Maurizio Sarri.
Topics: Manchester United, Napoli
