Napoli Close in On Armero Signing

Udinese have confirmed that they are in advanced talks with Napoli over the sale of Colombian international Pablo Armero.



The 26-year-old was a target of Juventus over the summer, but it appears as though their Azzurri rivals have beat them to the signing.



“The deal is close to being defined,” Udinese President Franco Soldati told Radio Kiss Kiss.



“There are just a few details to iron out before it can be made official. Napoli sporting director Riccardo Bigon is in Udine to sort a few things out with the player’s agent.



“Pablo would do well to change scenery. He’s been on the edge of the side in recent weeks and hasn’t shined so far this season.”



“He’ll be able to express himself better in Naples and he’ll be able to give a lot to the Azzurri cause.”



Initial reports state that Armero will leave in a co-owership deal for €4 million before signing a four and half year contract with the Partenopei.



Armero, a 26-year-old left-sided player, will replace Andrea Dossena in the Napoli squad as the latter is set to join Palermo.



The 31-year-old Italian will only be allowed to leave the Azzurri once Armero’s signings is made official.

Suarez will lead Reds attack against Udinese

Liverpool travel to Udinese looking for the win to guarantee their place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

The Reds are currently second in the group and a win over Udinese, who are already out, will ensure their progression into the knockout stages.



A draw could be good enough if Young Boys fail to beat Anzhi, but a defeat in Italy will mean an early exit from Europe for Brendan Rodgers' side even if Young Boys also lose as as the Swiss side would be top of a three-way head-to-head involving the Reds and Udinese.



Rodgers has named a strong squad with Luis Suarez set to start as he is suspended for this weekend's Premier League clash with West Ham.



Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is missing through illness, while Daniel Agger and Lucas Leiva have been rested.



Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin could rest a number of his top stars as he looks to concentrate on Serie A.



If Antonio Di Natale plays he will equal Valerio Bertotto's Udinese record of 33 appearances in UEFA club competition.



Giampiero Pinzi is available again after injury as Udinese look to end a run of three straight defeats in the Europa League.

The squad in full is: Jones, Johnson, Enrique, Sahin, Suarez, Cole, Assaidi, Henderson, Coates, Downing, Carragher, Allen, Reina, Suso, Sterling, Shelvey, Coady, Skrtel, Wisdom.

Rodgers: Big gun to start in Europa

Brendan Rodgers plans to name a strong side for the Europa League clash with Young Boys on Thursday as the Reds attempt to seal qualification at the earliest opportunity.

Should Udinese fail to beat Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia earlier in the day, Liverpool could book their place in the knockout stages by claiming three points against the Swiss outfit.



With that scenario in mind, Rodgers intends to call on captain Steven Gerrard and the senior members of his squad at Anfield tomorrow to complete the task, which began with a 5-3 victory over the visitors in Switzerland.



"Out there, we never took Steven Gerrard and one or two other players but they'll all be involved tomorrow night," the boss explained at his press briefing on Wednesday.



"We'll have a strong team. I will make changes in the game - I have to respect that we've got a really busy schedule now over the course of the next 10 days.



"From tomorrow we'll have four games in 10 days, and that's a big ask to keep the same group of players playing in all of those.



"But it's an opportunity for us tomorrow night, all being well we'll get the result and if the other result goes with us, we'll be able to navigate our way through the group.



"That's always been our intention - to qualify. We'll put out a team that we feel can win the game.



"You want to be in these competitions, as a manager and a coach and a player you want to be playing in European competition. It will be easier for us going forward once we've supplemented the group and I've got the right strength in depth.



"The competition has been fantastic, we've got some good results in it, some excellent performances, and we've gained some young players out of it. Our focus is to win the game and if we can qualify at the end of it, it will be a good night.



"I know what my priority is but I also respect the competition and I want to go through in the competition so we'll be out tomorrow night to win the game and it's up to ourselves to do that."



Young Boys have rallied since that opening-match defeat by the Reds, recording back-to-back victories over Udinese, including a 3-2 triumph on Italian soil.



And Rodgers knows Liverpool will face a challenge at Anfield. He continued: "Young Boys are a good side. They might not be showing that in some of their league form of late since we played them last.



"But certainly in this tournament, the games against Udinese, they have done very well. I like their idea, how they try to play football - 4-3-3 and look to pass the ball.



"Tactically they are good, so we know it is going to be a difficult game so we need to have a strong group."