Liverpool have reportedly told Napoli they will allow midfielder Lucas Leiva to join them on loan if the Serie A outfit pay a fee based on appearances.
According to Il Mattino, the Reds have softened their stance on the Brazil international, having previously insisted that a loan deal was out of the question.
The report claims the Premier League runners-up are now willing to let him link up with their former boss Rafael Benitez in Naples, on the understanding that the Italians part with an agreed amount of money when Lucas has played in a specific number of matches.
Benitez, who led Napoli to Italian Cup glory and Champions League qualification, has several back-up options but has informed his directors that the 27-year-old is his top priority and has requested that they do everything they can to thrash out a deal.
The player’s representatives have already met with club officials in Rome and are thought to have agreed on personal terms, meaning all that remains is the green light from Liverpool.
Lucas has been with Liverpool since the summer of 2007, when Benitez signed him from Gremio in his homeland.
He penned a long-term deal last year but is no longer considered an automatic starter on Merseyside and look set to be sacrificed.