Napoli Fullback Asks Out Amid Stalemate, Lazio Keen

Napoli and Mario Rui have struggled to come to terms on a new contract, and Lazio are keeping an eye on the situation. The fullback communicated that he wanted to be sold this summer, Alfredo Pedullà reports.

Coach Rudi Garcia has also been informed of the decision, and the defender seems to have dug his heels in. It’ll be tough to change his mind.

Napoli will try to mend fences with Mario Rui, but Lazio touched base multiple times already to inquire about the possible terms of such an acquisition. The 32-year-old has been at the club since 2017. He initially joined on loan from Roma and was bought out the following year.

The Biancocelesti fully intend to sign one new left-back this summer. They continue to track Luca Pellegrini, but he has high wages, around €3M. The capital side missed out on Milos Kerkez. They have also expressed interest in Sevilla’s Marcos Acuna, who’s likely to depart.

Our Take on Mario Rui, Napoli, and Lazio

After positive momentum in previous weeks, all the rumored renewals for the Partenopei, barring Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s one, have seemingly gone south. Aurelio De Laurentiis might have put his foot down about salaries. It wouldn’t be a traumatic loss in this case. They’d have to find another option if he left, but Mathias Olivera is perfectly fine and has much more potential.