Benitez enters Suarez race

Benitez

Napoli are reportedly on the verge of ditching their attempts to lure Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro to Serie A and are plotting a move for Atletico Madrd’s Mario Suarez.

According to Il Mattino, head coach Rafael Benitez, formerly of Liverpool and Chelsea, is ready to admit defeat as his club cannot compete with the financial muscle of fellow suitors Zenit St Petersburg.

Zenit are said to have put together a £12.8million offer for the Brazil international – a fee Napoli are struggling to match.

Former Spurs head coach Andre Villas-Boas is now in pole position to be reunited with Sandro at the Russian club, if the 25-year-old decides he is ready to leave north London.

Atletico star Suarez, who has been heavily linked with a number of clubs, and Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva are likely to be the subject of strong interest from Napoli if they officially walk away from the Sandro situation in the coming days.

However, the £4million asking price for Lucas remains a bone of contention.

Sandro, who has two years left on his contract at White Hart Lane, suffered an inconsistent 2013-14 campaign due to injury and a loss of form.

He was sent off in Villas-Boas’ last game in charge – a 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in December, after which the Portugese was dismissed.

Spurs have since replaced his successor, Tim Sherwood, with Mauricio Pochettino on a five-year contract.