Napoli are looking for a defender to replace Kostas Manolas. However, they do not have a large budget. The newcomer will be a backup once Kalidou Koulibaly returns from the African Cup of Nations.
For those reasons, the Partenopei are trying to find a reliable but cheap option in the back. Director Cristiano Giuntoli is a big fan of Marash Kumbulla, Corriere dello Sport reports. He wanted to sign him from Verona before he joined Roma. He will ask for him on loan with option to buy, but the Giallorossi will probably rebuff them. They do not want to strengthen a direct rival. The 22-year-old has had an up-and-down campaign so far. However, he is one of the top reserves in the role, especially if they continue to use a three-man line.
They are after Attila Szalai, but he might be too expensive, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. The Azzurri covet Verona’s Nicolò Casale, but he has a €15M price tag. The Scaligeri would need to accept a loan with clause. However, they would have to find two reinforcements in the same role afterward, considering Pawel Dawidowicz’s major injury.
Napoli have better chances to find a defender at Empoli. They could either bring back Sebastiano Luperto from the loan spell or acquire youngster Mattia Viti for a relatively low fee. He has featured eight times this season. The Partenopei have joined Juventus in the race for Frosinone’s Federico Gatti, but their opening €5M offer was deemed too low. He is one of the most feasible targets.