epa11916665 Torino coach Paolo Vanoli celebrates with goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic after winning the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO (Napoli links)
epa11916665 Torino coach Paolo Vanoli celebrates with goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic after winning the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

After a few weeks of radio silence, Napoli have circled back for Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has also been linked with a move to join Leeds United this summer, Football Italia understands. 

Napoli have advantage over Leeds for Milinkovic-Savic

Over the last few hours, Napoli have attained more information surrounding Milinkovic-Savic’s situation. 

Leeds are also still in the mix and continue to push for the Serbian’s arrival, but the player himself would prefer to hold off and wait, as he prefers a move to Napoli and is confident that Antonio Conte’s side will make a move before the end of the transfer window. 

epa11916401 Torino's Vanja Milinkovic Savic makes a save against a penalty kick by Milan's Christian Pulisic (R) in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
epa11916401 Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic Savic makes a save against a penalty kick by Milan’s Christian Pulisic (R) in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

So, as things stand for Leeds United, Milinkovic-Savic is on hold. 

The Partenopei, meanwhile, are on the verge of reaching a decision over the sale and payment terms for striker Victor Osimhem, who could bring in up to €75m for the Partenopei to reinvest. 

Milinkovic-Savic could be one of the players that Napoli invest in this summer, even if they already have a first-choice no.1 in Alex Meret, who has played in both of the last two Scudetto-winning seasons. 

GENOA, ITALY - DECEMBER 21: Alex Meret of Napoli reacts during a warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Alex Meret of Napoli reacts during a warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Meret is aware of the situation with Milinkovic-Savic, and it is understood that there is no problem from his camp. The two are expected to compete for starting opportunities at the Stadio Maradona. 

Milinkovic-Savic is available for a fee of €19m for Serie A clubs this summer.

Alfredo Pedullà

ByAlfredo Pedullà

Alfredo is one of the most highly respected football journalists in Italy, breaking many of the biggest transfer news stories, interviewing the very best players and managers and presenting his analysis on numerous football programmes on Italian television.

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