Rafael Benitez 'agrees two-year contract to become Napoli boss'

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that outgoing Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has agreed to become the Italian club's new manager.

The former Inter Milan boss has been linked with a return to Serie A following his interim stint at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a top-four position in the Premier League and the Europa League trophy.

"I've given myself a birthday gift, I've signed Benitez," De Laurentiis told Sky Sport Italia. "I'll make it official in the next few days as Benitez needs to end things with Chelsea. He'll have a two-year contract, no longer. We need to get to know each other first, then we'll see."

It appears that Napoli have opted to sign the ex-Liverpool boss over Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas, for whom the club recently made an approach.

If a move does materialise, it will rule Benitez out of taking up the Everton and Stoke City vacancies in the Premier League.