Fiorentina are facing a strong last minute challenge for Tottenham Hotspur defender Vlad Chiriches from Napoli.

La Viola have offered Spurs €1.5m to take Chiriches on loan for the season with a further €5.5m to come if they choose to sign him permanently.




Paulo Sousa's men have been hoping to close the deal as soon as Tuesday this week, but Napoli's entry into the race has complicated matters.

According to Italian broadcaster Sportitalia, Napoli contacted Spurs originally to enquire about signing Eric Dier, but the English giants are not willing to part with the former Sporting Lisbon defender.
 

 

That caused the Azzurri to switch their attention to Chiriches as they hunt for another centre-back to provide to coach Maurizio Sarri.

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Napoli have now open talks with Tottenham over signing Chiriches and are rivalling Fiorentina for his signature.

The Romanian joined Tottenham in the summer of 2013 from Steaua Bucharest, but has struggled to cement a regular spot in the club's first team.

Now his adventure in England appears to be coming to an end as Napoli and Fiorentina jostle to take him to Serie A.