Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis provided a detailed account of the managerial selection process, expressing regret over the appointment of Rudi Garcia. While Thiago Motta was initially approached and Luis Enrique considered, negotiations with both managers faced hurdles. Motta, feeling unprepared to step into the shoes of a title-winning predecessor, hesitated, leading to further explorations.
Despite substantial financial demands from Luis Enrique, talks ensued, but the deal fell through. Julian Nagelsmann also came into consideration, but De Laurentiis eventually settled on Garcia, who had secured Serie A second-place finishes in the past. However, the realization that Garcia was not the right fit dawned on De Laurentiis on the day of his unveiling at Capodimonte.
Napoli’s January Transfer Plans: Defensive Reinforcements, Departure of Elmas, and Midfield Overhaul
Napoli faces challenges in Serie A, currently outside the top four, prompting De Laurentiis to outline ambitious plans for the upcoming January transfer window. Identifying defensive weaknesses, he stressed the necessity of at least three signings, with a focus on securing a center-back and a right-back to provide valuable backup for Di Lorenzo.
Additionally, he hinted at reinforcing the midfield, possibly with the addition of two new players. Eljif Elmas, seeking consistent playing time, has already been confirmed as sold, set to join RB Leipzig for a reported fee of approximately €25 million in January.
Zielinski’s Future and Osimhen’s Contract Extension: Napoli’s Strategic Moves Unveiled
De Laurentiis shed light on the future of key players, particularly midfielder Piotr Zielinski. While talks are ongoing for a new Napoli deal, De Laurentiis hinted at potential interest from Serie A rivals Juventus and Inter. He suggested that Zielinski’s Polish background might influence a move to a location with more familiar weather conditions.
On a positive note, De Laurentiis confirmed that striker Victor Osimhen is on the verge of signing a contract extension. Expressing confidence in reaching an agreement soon, the extension would secure Osimhen’s continued presence and contributions to Napoli’s forward line.
