Napoli will have to reshape the roster next summer as multiple players have expiring contracts, and replacing Kalidou Koulibaly is not currently in their plans. The center-back has been linked to Barcelona recently and has been routinely on the radar of top clubs. However, the club believes he will continue to stick around, Alfredo Pedullà informs.
The 2022 AFCON winner has just one more year left on his deal with the Azzurri. On the other hand, an extension is likely and will probably come after the next transfer market window. The defender is highly attached to the city and the fans, and luring him away is highly challenging.
Napoli are more at risk of losing Fabian Ruiz than Koulibaly, the journalist adds. His deal runs out in 2023 as well, and coming to terms with him is thornier. He has drawn plenty of interest from La Liga giants and could indeed transfer there. It would be the second major departure as Lorenzo Insigne has already put pen-to-paper with Toronto FC.
The Partenopei will naturally bid farewell to Kevin Malcuit and Faouzi Ghoulam in three months. Despite his strong performances, David Ospina is likely on his way out too and has plenty of suitors. The management prefers moving forward with Alex Meret. Not re-upping the contract of the Colombian goalkeeper is the prerequisite to striking a deal with the younger teammate. Instead, the brass has yet to make the call on Dries Mertens. Napoli are headed for a jam-packed summer, but substituting Koulibaly is not in order.