Mario Rui close to Benfica transfer

By Football Italia staff

After Milan and Roma links, it looks as if Napoli full-back Mario Rui is heading back to Portugal for Benfica, possibly in an exchange with Alejandro Grimaldo.

The 28-year-old was informed by Coach Carlo Ancelotti that he is not part of the plan going forward at the Stadio San Paolo.

There had been strong interest from both Milan and Roma within Serie A, while Sporting CP were also tracking his situation.

However, Il Roma paper claims Mario Rui is on the verge of a transfer to Benfica, where he already played in 2009-10.

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Napoli could try to use Mario Rui as part of an exchange deal for Benfica full-back Grimaldo.

“Mario Rui would be very happy to return to Portugal and he’d be enthusiastic about moving to Benfica,” agent Mario Giuffredi told Radio TSF.

“In fact, it’d be a dream to come back to Benfica.”

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