Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has confirmed the club’s interest in signing Palermo full-back Federico Balzaretti.
According to Palermo president Mauro Zamparini, Italy international Balzaretti wants to join Roma but Mazzarri hopes the player can be persuaded to join the Coppa Italia holders instead.
“We are willing to take him,” Mazzarri told Sky Sport Italia after his side’s 2-1 friendly win over Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
“We would be happy if he came.”
Meanwhile, Mazzarri refused to be drawn on the prospect of his Juventus counterpart Antonio Conte being unable to take his seat on the bench for the Supercoppa Italiana clash with Napoli amid the on-going Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal.
“I talk about football,” Mazzarri said.
“I will not go into this topic. He’s a great coach. Anyway, he will prepare his squad during the week (before the game).
“It would be a loss for players of Juventus, a small advantage for us, but not decisive.”
Marek Hamsik opened the scoring for Napoli in their clash with Leverkusen at the Stadio San Paolo and although Manuel Friedrich levelled for the Bundesliga team, Goran Pandev netted the winner for the home side.
