Napoli and Sassuolo starlet Giacomo Raspadori have reportedly reached an agreement over the forward’s switch to southern Italy. According to Calciomercato, the Partenopei now have to meet the Neroverdi’s substantial €30m asking price to get the deal over the line.
After escorting the likes of Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne through the exit door, Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti is in the market for new attacking options. Time is running out for the Serie A heavyweights as they aim to assemble a squad to compete for a top-four finish next term.
Short of reliable options in the front third, Napoli are desperate to land Raspadori. The prodigious 22-year-old forward has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Italian football since his senior breakthrough at Sassuolo in 2018.
Last season, Raspadori tallied ten goals and six assists from 36 Serie A appearances. Alongside Gianluca Scamacca and Domenico Berardi, he formed a formidable attacking trident that picked Italian backlines apart almost at will.
The Italy international is now ready to take his career to the next step, with Napoli popping up as his likeliest destination. But after sanctioning Scamacca’s move to West Ham United, Sassuolo are hesitant to allow another gem to leave the Mapei Stadium this summer.
Alessio Dionisi’s men have slapped a €30m price tag on Raspadori’s head as part of their effort to fend off Napoli. With Sassuolo likely to hold out for their valuation of Raspadori, the Partenopei have their backs against the wall.
Napoli can either match Sassuolo’s demands or pick out other targets. Since time has become a sensitive mission, Aurelio De Laurentiis may have no other option but to open his checkbook to convince the Neroverdi to green-light the move.
Our Take on Raspadori Potential Move to Napoli
Given Napoli’s offensive-minded style of play, Raspadori could be an ideal reinforcement. And with Mertens and Insigne gone, the Italian youngster should be a permanent fixture in Spalletti’s set-up next term if the deal goes through.