Napoli In Pole Position to Sign Aston Villa Bust

Napoli and Fiorentina have reportedly opened talks with Nicolo Zaniolo’s camp over the Italian’s return to his homeland in the summer. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Galatasaray are ready to cash in on the ex-Roma forward following a see-saw loan spell at Aston Villa.

Zaniolo swapped Istanbul for Birmingham last summer. However, after only being handed 736 minutes by Unai Emery this season, he’ll return to Galatasaray in June. He has recently admitted his willingness to play in Serie A again, with Napoli and Fiorentina emerging as potential landing spots.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has become aware of his team’s shortcomings amidst one of the most abysmal title-defending campaigns in Serie A history. Several winter acquisitions have failed to live up to the billing, including Hamed Traore, whose future in Naples is in the balance.

With the former Sassuolo starlet likely to return to his parent club, Bournemouth, Napoli intend to fill the vacancy with Zaniolo’s arrival. The reigning holders are the frontrunners to sign the 24-year-old, who won’t come cheap.

Galatasaray will ask for up to €20 million to sanction Zaniolo’s departure. That’s not the price that would put Napoli off. Neither are the player’s €2.7m per-year wages. But the southern giants will have to beat competition from Fiorentina and possibly Juventus.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna tried to lure Zaniolo to Turin during his stint at Juventus and has not abandoned the idea of hiring the Italy international. His long-term interest in the versatile forward could finally come to fruition this summer.