Napoli are trying to find a solution for both Elseid Hysaj and Nikola Maksimovic, who are on expiring contracts, and will look to reduce the roster and the payroll in January, Gazzetta dello Sport reported today.
It is possible that the two defenders will reach agreement for short-term deals as the team does not want to lose them for nothing, eyeing transfers at reasonable prices in the summer. Roma in particular are keen on Hysaj, whom they could consider acquiring in January already under right circumstances. The versatile fullback was a regular on the left flank to open the season, but Mario Rui won the starting job back after the Albanese international contracted COVID.
Maksimovic, who has some suitors both in Premier League and Serie A, asked for a pay bump, but he was rebuffed. The management is also evaluating the position of Amir Rrahmani, who was purchased from Verona for €13M but never featured so far.
The national outlet indicated that the front office is searching for ways to offload Fernando Llorente, Kevin Malcuit and Faouzi Ghoulam, while they continue to ask €15/18M for Arkadiusz Milik despite the unfavorable contractual situation.
The newspaper also reported that the directors have approached Fabian Ruiz about extending his contract, but to no avail and the matter will be re-discussed in the summer. He has most recently been linked to Atletico Madrid, while he had drawn interest of the other top Spanish clubs in the past.