Rafael Cabral’s days at Napoli are numbered. With no appearances in the current season, the Brazilian goalkeeper will be allowed to leave by the Italian team in the summer transfer window.
Rafael, who excelled at Santos and won the Copa Libertadores in 2012, is also valued by Brazilian clubs. Santos’ rivals São Paulo are looking for a player to provide competition to current first-choice goalkeeper Denis. At Napoli since July 2013, Rafael still has a contract until 2018, but he is the third option in goal at the moment, behind Pepe Reina and compatriot Gabriel. Rafael’s agent Paulo Affonso said: “We have been working, eyeing the European market and we are looking at some possibilities of good teams for Rafael. He will leave, probably on loan with a purchase price fixed. Rafael, last season, received offers from two teams from Spain, one from Belgium and one from England. But none of the proposals was economically good for Napoli and the player. He has a high salary at the club. They pay well and wouldn’t give up their players easily.”
About the interest from São Paulo, the agent added: “When you talk about São Paulo, which is a great team, we always listen and are interested in discussing to see if there’s a possibility. This move may allow Rafael to return to the national team, which is his goal. Today, for example, he would start in any big team of Brazilian football. I’ve had several enquiries from Brazilian clubs, not just São Paulo.”
Rafael Cabral’s days at Napoli are numbered. With no appearances in the current season, the Brazilian goalkeeper will be allowed to leave by the Italian team in the summer transfer window.
Rafael, who excelled at Santos and won the Copa Libertadores in 2012, is also valued by Brazilian clubs. Santos’ rivals São Paulo are looking for a player to provide competition to current first-choice goalkeeper Denis. At Napoli since July 2013, Rafael still has a contract until 2018, but he is the third option in goal at the moment, behind Pepe Reina and compatriot Gabriel. Rafael’s agent Paulo Affonso said: “We have been working, eyeing the European market and we are looking at some possibilities of good teams for Rafael. He will leave, probably on loan with a purchase price fixed. Rafael, last season, received offers from two teams from Spain, one from Belgium and one from England. But none of the proposals was economically good for Napoli and the player. He has a high salary at the club. They pay well and wouldn’t give up their players easily.”
About the interest from São Paulo, the agent added: “When you talk about São Paulo, which is a great team, we always listen and are interested in discussing to see if there’s a possibility. This move may allow Rafael to return to the national team, which is his goal. Today, for example, he would start in any big team of Brazilian football. I’ve had several enquiries from Brazilian clubs, not just São Paulo.”
