Napoli step up interest in Rolando

Napoli are edging closer to signing Porto defender Rolando, Il Corriere dello Sport has revealed.

The Azzurri seemed to have given up on signing a new centre-back after Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava had had their six-month bans overruled, but they are now back on the market.

Given that Federico Fernandez is expected to leave in the January transfer window and Hugo Campagnaro set for summer exit, Napoli officials are doing their best to sign Rolando from Porto.

While the Dragons value the Portugal international at €8 million, the Azzurri hope to sign the player on loan with an option to buy.

Porto are likely to accept such an arrangement considering that Rolando are no longer in the plans of coach Vitor Pereira.

Should they fail to lure the Portuguese defender to San Paolo, Napoli will turn their attention to Lazio outcast Modibo Diakite, whose contract at Stadio Olimpico is due to expire at the end of the season.