Manchester City are ready to move on to other targets after missing out on Napoli defender Raul Albiol, Football Express News understands.
As Italian source TuttoSport has reported, the Premier League champions had high hopes of luring the versatile utility man to England during the summer transfer window, only for his head coach Rafael Benitez to intervene.
The Spaniard was not willing to see his compatriot leave Naples as he sees him as a key member of the squad for next term, dashing the Blues’ hopes of snapping him up in the coming weeks.
A source close to the Etihad Stadium told FEN they were confident the presence of fellow countrymen David Silva, Jesus Navas, Javi Garcia and Alvaro Negredo would have tempted Albiol.
The insider revealed City boss Manuel Pellegrini will waste no time in pursuing different options, and that he is keen to secure the services of a player who, like the Napoli man, is capable of operating in several different positions.
Albiol made his name in La Liga with Valencia and Real Madrid, picking up five major titles before moving to Serie A last year.
The 28-year-old penned a long-term deal upon his arrival and is contracted to the club until 2017.