So far, everything was going well for Naples. In the middle of autumn, the 2023 Italian champion had a 5-point lead at the top of Serie A, particularly after this success on the pitch of AC Milan (2-0). But as is often the case with Antonio Conte, the machine seizes up easily. Since then, the momentum from the start of the season has waned. Napoli lost heavily in Bergamo against Atalanta (3-0) and let Lazio win at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium last weekend (1-0). These two defeats allowed the Dea to take control of the championship.
An affront for Antonio Conte’s team, especially since Naples is not playing in any European competition this season. For the coach who arrived this summer, the problem is both simple and complicated. Simple because its workforce is neither qualitative nor quantitative enough. Complicated since it requires means to improve it, especially after having already spent €150 million (Buongiorno, McTominay, Lukaku, Neres, Gilmour, Marin) during the last transfer window for only €11 million in cash. Osimhen failed to be sold as had been envisaged and leaves the balance in the red.
Conte wants 4 reinforcements
Aurelio de Laurentiis will undoubtedly not be surprised by his coach and his always very demanding personality when it comes to the transfer market. According to La Gazzetta dello Sportthe former Juventus or even Inter and Chelsea player requires 4 recruits, including a central defender and a midfielder as a priority. For the hinge, he believes he needs an element capable of being reliable in the event of a problem with Rrahmani and Buongiorno. The designated replacements, Rafa Marin and Juan Jesus, do not do the job. The two have only 1 match in Serie A.
We informed you a few days ago, the name of Danilo (33 years old) is mentioned and would even be the priority of the moment. According to our information, the Brazilian from Juve has already given his agreement to land in the south of Italy but he still has six months of contract in Piedmont. Other media leads, Jaka Bijol (25 years old) and Jakub Kiwior (24 years old). The first, very popular in Naples, is an executive in the defense of Udinese where he is under contract until 2027 and the second, linked to Arsenal until 2028, is more of a replacement solution for Mikel Arteta.
A defender and a midfielder as priority
As for the midfield, Zielinski’s departure to Inter last summer left a void. Conte wants to compete with his usual trio Zambo-Anguissa-Lobotka-McTominay with a physically strong player, capable of repeating efforts, while having a certain technical ease. Billy Gilmour and Michael Folorunsho each meet only one of these criteria. Kenneth Taylor (22 years old) from Ajax would be the ideal profile but the Dutchman would be expensive, especially since he still has two and a half years of contract. Not sure De Laurentiis will agree to put it back in the envelope.
Finally, two other players in less key positions would be welcome according to Antonio Conte. In the best of all worlds, he would need a right winger since David Neres and Mateo Politano have been a bit of a disappointment since the start of the season. La Gazzetta cites the name of Patrick Dorgu, very fit for Lecce (14 Serie A matches, 3 goals) where he is under contract until 2029. A replacement left back is also being considered as the versatile Spinazzola arrives in at the end of the race, and Mario Rui is put in the closet. Naples is thinking of Cristiano Biraghi, who has become a substitute at Fiorentina.
