Napoli could reportedly launch a last-ditch attempt to land Inter midfielder Roberto Gagliardini down the final stretch of the transfer window. According to Tuttosport (via SempreInter), the Partenopei have added the Italian to their shortlist after failing to land other targets.
With only a fortnight left before the deadline day, Napoli have yet to complete a single high-profile transfer in the ongoing transfer window. Luciano Spalletti, who replaced Gennaro Gattuso in the dugout earlier in the summer, is desperate to strengthen his squad as the Partenopei failed to land a top-four Serie A finish last term.
However, a lack of funds continues to throw a spanner in the works, with Napoli struggling to impose themselves in the transfer market. Moreover, they are currently dealing with the prospect of losing their headline performer and homegrown star Lorenzo Insigne.
As for the incomings, Spalletti is in the market for a new midfielder to bolster his options in the center of the pitch. Napoli’s first-choice target remains Tiemoue Bakayoko, but negotiations with his parent club Chelsea are complicated. The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and it’s fair to say he defied expectations.
Despite Napoli’s genuine interest in re-signing Bakayoko, a deal looks improbable at the moment. Therefore, Spalletti has turned his attention towards Gagliardini, who has been a bit-part player at Inter since arriving from Atalanta in 2017.
The 27-year-old made 28 Serie A starts under Antonio Conte last season, but 14 of them came from the substitute’s bench. Gagliardini’s situation at the Giuseppe Meazza is unlikely to change under new boss Simone Inzaghi. With a host of top-class midfielders on the roster, the Italian could face another underwhelming season.
So Inter could be willing to negotiate the player’s sale this summer.