Rome,July 25: Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain and Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina both passed medicals with Napoli on Wednesday, clearing the way for the duo to join the Serie A runner-up.
Higuain was greeted by about 100 jubilant Napoli fans waving club scarves and Argentina flags when he arrived for the medical exam, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis said on Twitter later that both players had passed. He said there will be a “big party” in the city on Monday to celebrate the new arrivals.
Arsenal was also interested in Higuain, but the 25-year-old Argentine is expected to complete a 40 million euro ($53 million) transfer to Napoli and link up with his new teammates at their training camp in Verona.
Reina underwent a medical at the club earlier in the day.
“I'm happy to link up again with coach (Rafa) Benitez, who I knew for five years between Spain and England, and with who I have always worked very well,” Reina said as he left the clinic following his medical.
Benitez joined Napoli at the end of May, succeeding Walter Mazzarri, who resigned and signed to coach Inter.
The Spanish coach has already signed defender Raul Albiol and forward Jose Callejon from Real Madrid, as well as PSV Eindhoven winger Dries Mertens and Santos goalkeeper Rafael.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis recently claimed his club had 124.5 million euros ($164.5 million) to invest in the team following the 60 million euro ($79 million) sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain.
