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Napoli's interest in Manchester United target Ezequiel Garay gives Liverpool Skrtel hope
MANCHESTER UNITED could miss out on long-standing defensive target Ezequiel Garay after Napoli entered the race to sign the Argentina international.
United were recently told that they needed to meet Benfica's £21.5m asking price for Garay or risk missing out on the defender.
And now Napoli have upped the pressure on the Old Trafford club by enquiring about Garay.
Napoli played Benfica in a friendly on Friday night and reports in Italy suggest that the Naples club took the opportunity to ask about the availability of Garay and Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo, who had been linked with Cardiff.
According to Tuttosport, Benfica's hard line over a fee with United could be softened for Napoli, with a bid in the region of £17m thought to be enough to send the 26-year-old to Serie A, providing the Azzurri are willing to meet Garay's substantial wage demands.
The news could come as good news for Liverpool fans, with Napoli heavily linked with a move for Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel.
Rafa Benitez now appears to be investigating his options and seems to have turned to former Real Madrid player Garay as an alternative to the £12m rated Skrtel, who may not be able to be prised away from Anfield.
Napoli's reported interest in Cardozo is not thought to be such good news for Cardiff, however.
The Welsh club had been linked with a move for the striker, who scored 26 goals in the Primeira Liga last season.
Cardozo has admitted that he doesn't see a future for himself at Benfica and wants to move away, prompting the Bluebirds to express an interest in bringing the 30-year-old to the Premier League.
But with Napoli still looking for a partner for new signing Gonzalo Higuain, Cardiff could be set to miss out to Rafa Benitez's side.