The beginning of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign will soon be upon us and with the summer transfer window opening on July 1, we are analyzing the top five 2023 Napoli transfer targets that the club could be going for ahead of the new season.
A historical season for Napoli has come to a close and, despite the entirety of Naples continuing to celebrate their first Scudetto since 1990, those behind the scenes are working hard to prepare for the title defense next term.
New head coach Rudi Garcia will have the difficult task of trying to emulate Luciano Spalletti’s incredible campaign, whilst he must also try and keep the crux of his squad intact, despite numerous reports about the departures of key players such as Kim Min-jae and Victor Osimhen. Below we take a look at the top five 2023 Napoli transfer targets this summer.
Top Five 2023 Napoli Transfer Targets
5. Nahitan Nandez (Cagliari)
Nahitan Nandez has been linked with a move to Naples for a number of years now and could potentially join from newly promoted side Cagliari this window. Agent Pablo Bentancur, as quoted by Rai, has stated that the midfielder could be available for a fee of €18 million. There has yet to have been an official bid from the Partenopei but talks could begin in the near future.
With Napoli looking to acquire Nandez as a depth option, it is unlikely that they would bid close to the aforementioned fee. If the club were to acquire the Uruguayan, it would be in the region of €8 million and that could be possible since the midfielder is out of contract next summer.
Midfield is certainly a priority for Garcia to address. With Tanguy Ndombele returning to Tottenham Hotspur following his loan spell last season, Diego Demme seemingly returning to Germany to join Hertha Berlin and Piotr Zielinski’s deal running out in June 2024, La Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that Napoli could also target Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners and Udinese’s Lazar Samardzic.
4. Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta)
The Partenopei have been flooded with numerous reports linking them with fresh midfielders for next season and the Netherlands international Koopmeiners could be a viable option. Even if Zielinski stays at the Diego Maradona Stadium, it appears that Napoli would still be keen on bringing the Atalanta man to the club.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Garcia is looking for versatile players in the middle of the park and the 25-year-old certainly fits that bill since he can operate in a deeper role, as well as being deployed closer to the forwards. Having scored ten goals in Serie A last season for the Bergamaschi, also providing five assists, Koopmeiners could an ideal addition.
However, Atalanta will require a fee of around €30 million to prize the Dutchman away from Bergamo and Napoli are also in competition with Premier League clubs Brighton and Liverpool to secure his services. Serie A rivals Inter could also make a move for Koopmeiners if they are unable to sign Frattesi from Sassuolo.
3. Kevin Danso (RC Lens)
Defensive additions also seem to be on the cards for Napoli this summer, largely due to the imminent departure of Kim Min-jae. RC Lens’ Kevin Danso has been linked with a move to Naples and FootMercato have reported that both Napoli and Inter are interested in the player.
Danso joined Lens from Augsburg back in 2021 and was ever present in their strong defense last term that helped Les Sang et Or finish in second place. Lens had the best defensive record in Ligue Un last season, conceding just 29 goals, and the 24-year-old featured in all but one of the 38 league matches.
The Partenopei could utilise Danso at the heart of the defense as a direct replacement for Kim but the Austrian can also be used at full-back. His versatility could prove crucial. However, there is also interest from a host of Premier League clubs for the player such as from Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
2. Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo)
Yet another midfielder has been linked with a move to Naples and 21-year-old Gabri Veiga has been targeted by a plethora of top clubs already this summer. The Spaniard had an impressive campaign at Celta Vigo last term and managed to provide 15 goal contributions in La Liga, including 11 goals.
According to journalist Nicolo Schira, Napoli are interested in signing Veiga and will rival the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool for his signature. The midfielder has a release clause of €40 million and Gianluca Di Marzio has also reported that Napoli are interested in Veiga but that they would only be willing to bid up to €30 million.
Most recent reports from Fabrizio Romano, however, believe that Manchester City are also in the race to sign the Celta Vigo man since they are no longer in the running for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
1. Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
La Dea certainly have a plethora of talent amongst their ranks and rumours will continue to be the theme about the potential departure of their key players throughout the summer. Of course, starlet Giorgio Scalvini is one of those guys who could end up leaving Bergamo, with multiple top clubs around Europe interested in his signature.
As reported by FCInterNews, both the Nerazzurri and the Azzurri are still in the hunt for the 19-year-old defender and he could be the perfect replacement for either Milan Skriniar or Kim Min-jae respectively. Not only does Scalvini offer sound defensive qualities but he is also extremely competent with the ball at his feet.
South Korean defender Kim Min-jae appears to be on the brink of signing for German outfit Bayern Munich and so Napoli could soon have the funds available to reinvest since it will require €60 million for his release clause to be met. La Repubblica have also reported that Scalvini is a Napoli transfer target.