The agent of former Leeds United goalkeeper Elia Caprile has revealed that Serie A champions Napoli fought off competition from Benfica and ‘other high-end Italian teams’ to sign him last year.
In two years at Elland Road between 2020 and 2022, the Verona-born glovesman did not make a single first-team appearance. Things might have been different had Ilan Mesler not established himself as Leeds United’s go-to number one at that time, of course, the Yorkshire giants in a rather privileged position – albeit briefly – of having two goalkeepers of such obvious potential in their ranks.
There was no room at Leeds for the both of them, Elia Caprile returning to Italy with Bari before rapidly establishing himself as the stand-out shot-stopper in Serie B.
He was so impressive, in fact, that Napoli were forced to fight off competition from pretty sizeable clubs both at home and abroad before they secured a £6 million deal for the former Italy under-21 ace in July.
Napoli beat Benfica to former Leeds United man
“He went to Naples because he strongly wanted to, otherwise he would have remained in Bari,” Graziano Battistini tells TV Play. “It’s a great club that also supports the boy’s ambition.
“Having said that, there were also other interested (clubs). See Benfica and other high-end Italian teams.”
Caprile is currently on loan at Empoli, replacing Guglielmo Vicario and making up for lost time after an injury-interrupted start to the campaign. He was one of the stand-out performers during last week’s 1-1 draw with title-chasing Juventus, a display which will have done his hopes of a starting spot between the sticks at parent club Napoli in the near future no harm.
A future number one at the Serie A champions?
“Caprile has experienced a difficult start to the season due to the injury which has created problems in his growth,” the agent adds.
“Last year, Napoli, due to the way the operation was carried out, demonstrated that they believe and are focusing strongly on a future in blue. Now, he is focused and wants to make his contribution to saving Empoli, which would be historic because he they have never been in Serie A for more than three years in a row.
“The focus is this, then the rest will be seen.”
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