Napoli boss Rafael Benitez has quashed claims that he is interested in adding Chelsea duo Juan Mata and David Luiz to his squad this transfer window.
Mata and Luiz were part of the Blues side that Benitez guided to the Europa League last season during his time as Chelsea interim manager.
The pair have been strongly linked with a move to Napoli, although Benitez has denied that he plans to bring them to the San Paolo stadium.
Talking to reporters at a press conference on Sunday, the Spaniard also made a point to deny his interest in Barcelona defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano, who played under Benitez at Liverpool.
“I am pleased with the squad we have,” Benitez said.
He added: “I read in the papers that we are close to a deal for Mascherano, David Luiz and Mata, but that is not true. It is very difficult to get players like that.
“On most of the players linked with Napoli, there isn’t a real interest from us.
“Signing a defender? At Christmas I watched the Premier League and I didn’t see any players at [Raul] Albiol’s level, and there are few players in the market stronger than [Miguel] Britos and [Federico] Fernandez.”
Juan Mata has been linked with a number of clubs from around Europe, with speculation about his departure intensifying after the Spaniard expressed his discontent at being substituted early against Southampton.
But despite the reported interest from clubs such as Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that he wants Mata to stay.
Mourinho also confirmed that no official offers had been made for the midfielder so far.
Luiz has been subject to interest from Barcelona with the Brazilian struggling to nail down a place in Mourinho's Chelsea first team, but the Portuguese manager has also insisted that he is not for sale.
