Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has admitted interest in Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli was linked with a swap involving Napoli ace Ezequiel Lavezzi yesterday.

De Laurentiis said: "I don't know Balotelli personally, but I'm very fond of him. I love his extremely passionate way of approaching things, even if I think this passion could be developed better elsewhere before he comes here to explode the San Paolo.

"When he is capable of expressing his talent to the full, which I find to be extraordinary, then we'll perhaps step forward for Balotelli."