RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Sao Paulo have begun talks aimed at signing Portuguese left-back Mario Rui from Napoli, according to media reports in Brazil.
Rui's contract with Napoli runs until June 2026 but the 33-year-old is seeking new horizons due to a lack of opportunities with the Italian club, Lance reported on Saturday.
The news outlet added that Sao Paulo manager Luis Zubeldia viewed Rui as an ideal replacement for Brazil U23 full-back Wellington, who will join Premier League side Southampton in January.
Brazil's mid-season transfer window ends on September 2 but Zubeldia is hoping to finalize a deal in the coming days, according to the report.
Rui has been capped 12 times for Portugal's national team in a career that has also included spells at Roma, Parma and Benfica, among other clubs. ■
