Carlo Ancelotti has spoken effusively of James Rodriguez and admitted that he wants to bring the player to Napoli this summer.
The Colombian attacking midfielder spent part of the 2017-18 campaign working alongside Ancelotti during a two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich.
James's future is now in the balance after Bayern opted against making his move to Germany permanent following the expiration of his loan deal last month.
Speaking to Goal on Monday, Ancelotti said: "He is a player I know well and he is true quality.
"Unfortunately, he is not a Napoli player yet...maybe he never will be, or maybe he will!
"Let's talk about James once he becomes a Napoli player, as we do with other players. If today a manager from another club spoke about a Napoli player, I wouldn't be happy."
The 27-year-old remains a Real Madrid player, although uncertainty looms over his place in the side under Zinedine Zidane, who did not use James as a starter player and sanctioned his loan move to Bayern.
Napoli are also targeting Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi after the Argentina international was told he was not in Antonio Conte's plans ahead of the manager's opening campaign at the San Siro.
Leo Nieboer
