Napoli confirms Tonelli will arrive this summer from Empoli

Empoli defender Lorenzo Tonelli will be announced as Napoli's first signing of the season "as soon as possible," according to the club's president.

Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the news after Napoli's 4-0 win over Frosinone on Saturday, a result that also locked up an automatic Champions League berth for the southerners.

Tonelli worked with manager Maurizio Sarri last season at Empoli, and the 26-year-old could prove a suitable replacement for one of Raul Albiol or Kalidou Koulibaly - both of whom have fielded interest from abroad.

"Sarri doesn't know this yet, but Napoli has formalised the first signing, and it's Tonelli," De Laurentiis told reporters.

Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi backed up De Laurentiis' claims, adding that there is a "verbal agreement" between the two parties.

"Now the time has come for him to take off. He was 11 when he joined us, preferring us to Fiorentina," Corsi told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

Tonelli has emerged as one of Italy's most promising defenders, making 53 starts over the past two seasons with the Tuscan side. He hasn't yet earned a cap for Italy, but has developed a reputation for his tenacious play and incisive timing.