Real Madrid look to Sarri

By Football Italia staff

Real Madrid will push for Maurizio Sarri if Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t ask to leave Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, according to an intermediary.

The managerial merry-go-round is in full swing, as Napoli fired Sarri to make way for Carlo Ancelotti, but he is still under contract and negotiations with Chelsea appear to have broken down.

“(Napoli President) Aurelio De Laurentiis is making sure his contractual rights are respected, so any club that wants Sarri has to negotiate directly with him, but I am sure they’ll be able to resolve it all with a handshake,” transfer intermediary Salvatore Garritano told CalcioNapoli24.

With Chelsea getting cold feet, it seems Real Madrid are interested in Sarri’s services after Zinedine Zidane resigned.

“It’s more than just a suggestion, absolutely. We mustn’t hide the situation: Real Madrid want Pochettino and have done for several weeks, they even have an agreement, but contractually he is in a more complicated situation than Sarri, having just renewed his deal with Tottenham.

“Real Madrid cannot wait for Pochettino much longer. I think after tomorrow, they won’t wait any more and Sarri is the second choice, but let’s be clear, it’s like choosing between a BMW and a Ferrari.

“I spoke to a few Real Madrid directors and if they want to, they’ll take Sarri. Napoli and Real Madrid have a strong rapport, so I’d give it a 70 per cent chance we’ll see Sarri on the Merengues bench.

“I think they’ll make a decision on Sunday night, maximum on Monday. It’s a big club, the market is open and they can’t wait for much longer.”

Napoli could even ask for Karim Benzema as part of an exchange with Sarri.

“It’s no secret Ancelotti loves Benzema and obviously he’d like him at Napoli. On Monday morning, I will speak to Real Madrid again and we’ll see what happens.”

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