Napoli midfielder would have left had Benitez stayed, says agent

The agent of Jorginho has revealed the Brazilian midfielder would have left Napoli this summer had Rafa Benitez remained as manager.

Jorginho, 23, started just 26 league games during Benitez’s two years in charge of Napoli and his agent, Joao Santos, has conceded he had been sounding out alternative clubs for his client.

Benitez left Napoli at the end of last season before taking over at Real Madrid and Santos believes Jorginho is better suited to life under current Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.

“Jorginho has been Napoli’s most reliable player, because he’s playing in a role on the pitch that suits him,” Santos explained to Radio Crc.

“This summer there was a risk of him leaving. Of course, if Benitez had stayed he’d probably have left, and even before the match against [Club] Brugge I was talking about a transfer for January, and found four Italian teams interested in him.

“Italian clubs know Jorginho well, but that’s my job. I thank Sarri, who is giving my client the opportunity to prove his worth.”

The Brazilian defensive midfielder hasn’t managed to nail down a regular starting berth so far this season, but is currently the club’s most accurate passer in Serie A (90.1%).

For more stats on Jorginho, click here to visit his WhoScored player page