Napoli need a new defender after Kostas Manolas joined Olympiakos and they are reportedly targeting Fenerbahce’s Hungarian centre-back Attila Szalai, but face competition from Chelsea.
Manolas was sold to Olympiakos for €2m plus bonuses, with the deal active from January.
With Kalidou Koulibaly also out injured and the Africa Cup of Nations coming up, the Partenopei need reinforcements at the back.
According to Calciomercato.com, one of the primary Napoli targets is Szalai, who turns 24 next month.
He already has 23 senior caps for Hungary and will face Italy, England and Germany in the 2022-23 Nations League.
Szalai has already played in Hungary, Austria, Cyprus and joined Fenerbahce for €2m in January 2021.
So far this season, he has amassed 24 competitive appearances for Turkish side Fenerbahce, providing two assists.
His father is former Hungary international left-back Attila Szalai and the central defender has been described as the Hungarian Virgil van Dijk.
These characteristics also made him a target for Chelsea, especially with Antonio Rudiger set to leave as a free agent this summer.
Szalai, il ‘Van Dijk ungherese’: il Napoli sfida il Chelsea https://t.co/1XieRASnPi pic.twitter.com/3RxJ4iUdv2
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) December 20, 2021
He is a gem waiting to be polished!
Any of the 2 teams will massively benefit if they put their hands on him.