Napoli are a shambles on and off the pitch these days.
After being held to a 0-0 draw by Genoa on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are seventh in Serie A, five points off the Champions League qualification spots and 13 behind leaders Juventus. However, that is far from the biggest issue surrounding the club.
I Partenopei’s poor run of results saw owner Aurelio Di Laurentiis take matters into his own hands following a stalemate against Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday, scheduling extra training sessions for the squad. However, both the manager and players
Dries Mertens
It’ll be a tragedy when, not if, Dries Mertens moves away from Naples. He’s fallen for the fan-base and they have likewise fallen for him, but this love affair is set to go the way of Romeo and Juliet.
Having only recently surpassed Diego Maradona into second place on Napoli’s all-time top scorers lisr, the Belgian may be close to joining rivals Inter after ’practically agreeing’ a two-year contract with the Nerazzurri.
It’s a sad, sad end to what had been a heartwarming story for Mertens and his adoring supporters.
Probable Destination: Inter
Kalidou Koulibaly
If anyone is to depart I Partenopei, it will be Kalidou Koulibaly. It’s very simple – the colossal centre-back is too good to be at a club so deeply embroiled in crisis, and he knows it.
So, where is the Senegalese likely to end up? At another club that’s in the midst of a crisis! Manchester United have been tracking him for years and may return with a new bid if they feel they can get a discounted price amid the chaos.
Possible Destination: Manchester United
Fabián Ruiz
Back in October, Real Madrid representatives made contact with
A player of the midfielder’s calibre will not want to hang around on the sinking ship that is Napoli when he could go and be the heir to
Barcelona
Possible Destination: Real Madrid
José Callejón
While the Chinese Super League has been suggested for Callejon, Italian journalist
The Rossoneri were keen on bringing him to San Siro over the off-season, yet they couldn’t come to an agreement with his current employers.
However, they won’t need Napoli’s good graces after his deal runs out and it’s understood Milan goalkeeper Pepe Reina could play a part in convincing
Possible Destination: AC Milan
Lorenzo Insigne
Until they got slapped with a one-year transfer ban, Chelsea had rather fancied the idea of bringing Lorenzo Insigne to west London.
The Blues wanted the forward to come in for Madrid-bound Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge and – obviously – haven’t been able to purchase any replacements as of yet.
Christian Pulisic is beginning to blossom under Frank Lampard, but Pedro will surely be on his way soon, whilst it can’t hurt to have a make-shift back-up for Tammy Abraham, despite the clear differences in his and Insigne’s style of play.
Like with Koulibaly, expect many of Europe’s major players to take an interest in local hero Insigne is made to leave his hometown club.
Possible Destination: Chelsea
Kostas Manolas
Arsenal were allegedly close to signing Greek centre-back Kostas Manolas before his switch from Roma to San Paolo in the summer – who’s to say they won’t resurrect that interest?
No one is pretending David Luiz is a long-term fix for the Gunners’ defensive woes and
Possible Destination: Arsenal
Allan
At the back-end of the 2018/19 campaign, numerous reports surfaced suggesting Allan had his heart set on joining Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazilian informing Ancelotti and co of his desire to go.
Apparently, his compatriots at the Parc des Princes had spoken to him about the prospect of a transfer to Ligue 1, with the midfielder swiftly deciding he wanted a new challenge in France.
A deal never materialised, yet the situation is different following the latest Neapolitan scandal. Di Laurentiis could be looking to start afresh and Allan could be getting his wishes met.
Possible Destination: Paris Saint-Germain
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