Cristiano Giuntoli insists Napoli ‘tried’ to keep Kalidou Koulibaly, realised Paulo Dybala was ‘not suited’ to them, are ‘evaluating’ Kim Min-jae amongst other defenders and Fabian Ruiz wants to consider ‘market opportunities.’
The situation at the Dimaro pre-season training camp is increasingly tense after the departure of Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens, David Ospina and Koulibaly.
All of them left as free agents expect for Koulibaly, who completed his €40m transfer to Chelsea.
“We did consider Koulibaly to be off the market,” said director of sport Giuntoli in a press conference.
“Napoli want to be a virtuous club, as we have been for all these years. We tried to keep him to the end, making an very high salary offer for the current situation, but in the end it was not possible.
“I had said that we needed time, but the truth is that he told us he was not going to accept. I was trying to protect him.
“We are disappointed, but Napoli will go forward with strength and confidence for the future.”
Coach Luciano Spalletti was heckled by angry fans when he spoke on the same stage a couple of days ago, and he was meant to be present this evening, but Giuntoli was the only representative of the club to speak this time.
The target to replace Koulibaly is Kim Min-jae of Fenerbahce, but they face competition for the €20m South Korean from Rennes and Tottenham.
“Kim is a good player, like others. We are evaluating him and getting more information before we really go for it. I am confident about all the players we look at,” explained Giuntoli.
The director of sport was also asked about the Dybala situation, who had been approached by Napoli as a free agent, but has instead decided to join Roma, who offered €6m per season including bonuses.
“I talked about Dybala as an opportunity and we thought he could be, but then we spoke to his agents and it became clear this was not an opportunity for us or for him. Spalletti said he wants to play 4-3-3 and Dybala would’ve forced a change of that vision.
“We are looking for a goalkeeper on the same level as Alex Meret and a replacement for Koulibaly.”
Napoli fans are concerned that the departures mean they are downgrading their ambitions and Giuntoli did seem to admit as much.
“The Scudetto is a dream for us.”
Fabian Ruiz could also leave, as his contract is due to expire in June 2023 and there is interest from the Premier League as well as LaLiga.
“We are talking to his entourage a couple of times per week, it’s all very relaxed. He wants to evaluate the market opportunities, we are evaluating what to do. We want to keep him at all costs too.”