Multiple reports in Italy claim Napoli have intensified talks with Udinese to sign Lazar Samardzic, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Partenopei have also sounded out Arsenal‘s Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior.
The Partenopei have identified Udinese midfielder Samardzic as their primary target to boost Walter Mazzarri’s options in the middle of the park following Eljif Elmas’ €25m transfer to RB Leipzig.
Multiple sources in Italy, including La Gazzetta dello Sport and transfer pundit Alfredo Pedullà, claim the Partenopei are ready to invest a similar fee in the 21-year-old. Udinese coach Cioffi has already given the green light to Samardzic’s January transfer and left the Serbian midfielder on the bench in a 3-0 win over Bologna on Saturday.
The Partenopei will also strengthen the defence and according to Sunday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (page 26), they have sounded out Arsenal’s Kiwior and Tomiyasu for January. However, the Japan international may be involved in the Asian Cup next month, so he is not a primary target for the defending Serie A champions.
Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg also remains on Napoli’s radars and according to Gazzetta, Spurs are ready to send the 28-year-old out on loan with an option to buy, but the Dane would prefer a permanent transfer.
The pink paper adds that Napoli are also following Boubakary Soumaré, who is currently on loan to Sevilla from Leicester City.
#Samardzic: le cose possono cambiare e stanno cambiando 👇 #Cioffi ha dato il via libera, si lavorerà su 20 più bonus, il #Napoli dovrebbe investire la stessa cifra incassata per #Elmas https://t.co/WHmbOvVE3I
— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) December 30, 2023