Napoli president confirms interest in United's Marouane Fellaini, cites hair as key reason

Napoli continue to look for ways to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed Thursday that attention has shifted to a much-maligned midfielder in Manchester in an effort to do just that.

Speaking with Italian radio station Radio Kiss Kiss, De Laurentiis said that the club is tracking midfielder Marouane Fellaini, and are interested in bringing him to the Stadio San Paolo.

"Fellaini is one of the names on the table, but not the only one," he admitted, per The Guardian.

Fellaini, who failed to deliver on the expectations that accompanied him to Old Trafford following his £27.5 million transfer from Everton last summer, is viewed by De Laurentiis as an ideal partner for Gokhan Inler in the heart of the midfield.

“They would make a nice pair,” added the Napoli president.

Then, because he's Aurelio De Laurentiis and he's prone to making these kinds of outlandish, eye-raising comments (see here, here and here) he added this tidbit on the respective hairstyles of the two men.

“Fellaini has long hair, and the Swiss [Inler] is shaven. Together they have a hairstyle that looks like a lion’s mane and three years ago I presented Inler with the mask of a lion!”

Don't ask.

His trademark collection of hair follicles aside, Fellaini - when at his best - would give Napoli another impressive piece as they attempt to usurp Juventus at the top of the Serie A table.