Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis says Palermo fullback Federico Balzaretti will join AS Roma.

Napoli were also being linked with the Italy defender this summer.

"If I am going to sign someone who is nearly 31 years old, then I have to make him play, otherwise it's a pointless investment," Napoli patron De Laurentiis told Radio Marte.

"He didn't want to come to Napoli. I would not have been unhappy to have him, but he would've created problems for the balance of the group.

"Roma can have him. After all, Valon Behrami can play wide and maybe cut in towards the centre, while we also have Hugo Campagnaro who can take on different roles."