Algerians Yebda and Ghoulam join Italian clubs

Algeria internationals Faouzi Ghoulam and Hassan Yebda are bound for Italy after agreeing deals to join Serie A sides.

Left-back Ghoulam, 22, is set to leave Saint-Etienne for Napoli, the French club announced on Thursday.

On Wednesday, midfielder Hassan Yebda signed a loan deal to join with Udinese from Spain's Grenada .

The 29-year-old Yebda will stay with the struggling Serie A side until June, aiming to help them avoid relegation.

Udinese, who finished an impressive fifth place last season, currently sit 15th in the table - only three points off the drop zone.

Yebda had a short loan spell with English club Portsmouth, scoring two goals in 18 matches and helping the club reach the 2010 FA Cup final.

His compatriot Ghoulam is expected to transfer to Napoli for a fee of about 5m euros ($6.8m).

Meanwhile, another Algerian, Djamel Mesbah, has switched from Italian side to another - joining Livorno on loan from Parma.