Manchester United Transfer News: Napoli Reportedly Plan Jorginho Contract Talks

Napoli are reportedly planning to hold talks with Jorginho over extending the midfielder's contract amid rumours Manchester United met with the player's agent recently.

Italian source Il Mattino reported Napoli want to secure Jorginho's future before the transfer window opens this summer (h/t Jordan Russell of Calciomercato.com). Russell noted United have been heavily linked with the playmaker, whom Napoli "have absolutely no intention of selling."

United representatives met with the player's agent, Joao Santos, before Italy were beaten 2-0 by Argentina in Manchester on Friday, per Rai Sport (h/t Metro).

Jorginho has his admirers at Old Trafford, but not everybody is convinced the Italy international is the right fit for the Red Devils.

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Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News believes Jorginho's Azzurri team-mate Marco Verratti would be a better signing. Luckhurst described how "Jorginho is interesting Liverpool and United, who view Jorginho as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick."

Luckhurst may favour Verratti, but there is little doubt about Jorginho's talent. The 26-year-old is one of the more astute pass-masters on the continent.

Napoli have wowed Serie A fans with a free-flowing brand of possession-based football over the past couple of years. The expansive style owes a lot to Jorginho's vision and technique.

Recycling the ball is the hallmark of Jorginho's game, as Squawka Football statistics relating to the 2016/17 season proved:

Earlier in this campaign, WhoScored.com detailed how Jorginho was still bossing possession:

Such efficiency is rare in a defensive midfielder, but Jorginho is less an outright destroyer and more a deep-lying creator.

He's the type of player Jose Mourinho's side lacks. Pairing Jorginho with the more destructive Nemanja Matic would give the Reds enviable balance at the base of midfield.

It would also help improve the quality of United's game. Mourinho's men have been criticised this season for a negative approach, with Oliver Kay of The Times among the dissenting voices following United's UEFA Champions League elimination at the hands of Sevilla:

Landing Jorginho ahead of domestic rivals would be a coup for Mourinho and United. His signing would ensure the Red Devils midfield is underpinned by a player who combines defensive instincts with a progressive style.