Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has denied that he flew to London for talks with Rafa Benitez, but admitted he sent his sporting director to talk with Manchester City about a possible swap deal involving Edin Dzeko and Edinson Cavani.
De Laurentiis, a film producer, flew into England on Monday with the club's sporting director Riccardo Bigon and administrator Andrea Chiavelli.
But De Laurentiis insists he was in London to talk about the release of an upcoming film, and not to offer Benitez the chance to take over from Walter Mazzarri.
However he did admit that he instructed Bigon to talk with City about Dzeko and whether they wanted to do a deal for Cavani.
"I did not go to London for Benitez, you would have me take 15 coaches: it's true, I heard about them all in the last six months," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Yesterday [Monday] I was in London with Chiavelli and Bigon and for a simple reason: I have to prepare for the release of the film on Steve Jobs.
"Though, I told Bigon: 'Go to City and have a moment to negotiate Dzeko and what they are willing to do for Cavani'.
"Everyone is talking about who will be the new coach? But I do not do things in a hurry. I'm trying to understand who are the people who will accompany me in the next part of the journey."
Benitez, who is set to leave Chelsea after his spell as interim manager, has already admitted he would be attracted by the prospect of taking charge of the Serie A outfit.
