Napoli Join Roma in Race for Norway Talent Solbakken

Bodo/Glimt’s 6-1 thrashing of Roma last season in the UEFA Europa Conference League brought Norwegian sensation Ola Solbakken into the spotlight, and the 23-year-old forward was immediately inquired about by several top clubs, including the Giallorossiand Napoli have started eyeing him too.

He recently undertook a trip to the Italian capital, jumping at which, media outlets branded his visit as a means to talk about a potential move. That turned out to be true, as per Gianluca Di Marzio. However, Roma aren’t the only ones in the fray. According to Sportitalia, the Azzurri are in the picture along with several other European top dogs, including Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt.

His contract with the Norwegian giants expires in December this year, and so far no agreement for an extension has emerged between the two parties. Nonetheless, it is understood that the club does not intend to let the left-footed winger leave for free – demanding €5M for their prized player.

This was only reinforced when club manager Kjetil Knutsen spoke recently with Norwegian broadcaster TV2 (via Tuttomercatoweb).

“We’re not selling anyone before August 1st. Ola has returned from an injury and needs time to train properly. So, today he was not there with us. He has to take care of his body and do things the right way in order to be ready for the Champions League preliminary rounds.”

The Rosenborg youth product has 17 goals in 77 appearances for Bodo/Glimt.