S.S.C. Napoli defender Federico Fernandez is undergoing a medical at Swansea City after the parties agreed a fee sometime last week.
The Argentina international, 25, has been signed as replacement for Chico Flores, who has been reunited with Michael Laudrup at Qatari Stars League side Lekhwiya SC, and will compete his £7 million move to the Liberty Stadium in the coming hours.
Last week, Swans boss Garry Monk confirmed Fernandez was one his main targets, saying, “We have had good chats with Fernandez. Fees have been agreed with the clubs and hopefully he’ll be here for medicals this week.
“He brings that pedigree of playing for Napoli and Argentina. He is at a good age for us and will suit Swansea City. We want players who add quality to the squad and he will.”
Fernandez represented Argentina at this summer’s World Cup finals, playing four matches for the runners-up.
The 25-year-old centre-back articulated his love for the city of Napoli via Twitter.
“Ciao Napoli. Yes ciao, because it is not goodbye forever! It cannot be, because it is difficult to stay away from a city like this,” Fernandez tweeted.
“A city where I found love and happiness straight away, that gave me so much, which I tried to give back with the best of myself on the field and off.
“A thank you from the heart to this magnificent city, to all its warm inhabitants, thank you to SSC Napoli and its magnificent fans. Thank you to everyone.”
Fernandez made 36 appearances in all competitions for the Partenopei last season, tallying one assist.
Pellegrini announces exit list
Manchester City F.C. manager Manuel Pellegrini has identified out-of-favour quartet John Guidetti, Matija Nastasic, Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair as surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium.
Nastacic is wanted by several clubs across Europe, including in Italy, but he will demand a considerable fee, having joined City from Fiorentina in a €15 million deal in 2012.
The Serbia international is currently believed to be valued at around €20 million.
Meanwhile, Guidetti has been linked with Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord, with whom he bagged 20 goals in 23 league appearances in 2011/12.
The 22-year-old Swede has seen his career stall — due to a number of injuries — over the past few seasons and a move to Holland could help him get on track.
The big-money arrival of Eliaquim Mangala from F.C. Porto pushed England international defender Micah Richards further down Pellegrini’s pecking order.
However, shockingly, the Chilean has now confirmed once frozen out Belgium centre-back Dedryck Boyata is ahead of Richards in his depth chart.
Expect a move to be announced prior to the close of the transfer window. Arsenal and Liverpool remain likely destinations for the 26-year-old.
As for Scott Sinclair, he simply does not have enough to break into City’s first-team. A return to Swansea City could be on the cards.
“Matija needs to play,” said Pellegrini. “We already have important players here with four full-backs, Demichelis, Kompany, Mangala and Boyata.
“So we will see in the next few days what happens with Nastasic. He is an important player, but he has offers and I think the best thing for him is to play.
“We will see what happens, but we have until the end of August to see what kind of offers we get for Matija.
“That also goes for Micah Richards, who didn’t want to continue here because he wants to play more. He had a contract to renew, but didn’t want it.
“So we have three or four players extra – Scott Sinclair and John Guidetti are also important players – but I don’t like to have so many in the squad.
“I think 22 players is enough and they are all players, who have a lot of quality. It is good for them to play.”
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