Manuele Blasi

Napoli secure Juve duo Friday 23 May, 2008

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Napoli have confirmed that Manuele Blasi and Marcelo Zalayeta will be staying with the club after negotiations with Juventus.

Midfielder Blasi was co-owned by Juve, but Napoli now own full rights to the 27-year-old after this week’s talks with the Old Lady.

“It’s the best news that I could have received,” the Roman ace told the Vesuviani’s website.

“Finally I can truly say that I am a Napoli player. I think that I had a good season, but I promise that next year I will give more than 100 per cent again. And maybe I will pick up a few less bookings…”

Uruguayan hitman Zalayeta will also stay in the Azzurri ranks for next season as his co-ownership deal with the Bianconeri has been extended.

The towering ex-Penarol man hit eight goals last season and impressed at the Stadio San Paolo before sustaining a serious knee injury at the end of October.

“I am very happy to be able to spend another year at Napoli,” Zalayeta enthused.

“I think that I had a good season before I picked up that unfortunate injury.

“Now I have so much desire to do well and have even more hunger than I had last year.”