Antonio Conte’s Napoli is shaping up, but the 55-year-old manager is waiting for three final players to arrive this week to finalise his dream squad for this summer. If the Lukaku deal depends on Osimhen’s departure, David Neres and Billy Gilmour are getting closer and closer to signing with Serie A’s 2023 champion.
“I knew the situation when I came, and in the market, you have limits on the cost of the player’s salary,” Conte told SportMediaset.
“Most of the time, players don’t come here because we don’t play in the (European) cups. I want the best for Napoli and to try to strengthen the squad because we need it. I don’t know what will happen down the line”, explained the four-time Serie A-winning manager.
Two additions are almost certain as things stand now, whilst another waits for Osihmen’s situation to unfold.
Benfica gives the green light to David Neres’ transfer
After completing the first summer objective by strengthening their defence with the signings of Buongiorno, Spinazzola and Rafa Marin, the focus is now on the attacking department. Fourth in the Serie A betting odds for the next season, Napoli must improve its offensive arsenal.
As of now, the hot topic is finalising David Neres’ deal. The Brazilian is keen to join Napoli and made that clear to Benfica, his current club. So much so that Roger Schmidt, The Eagles manager, had already opened the door for the move.
“I can confirm that David Neres wants to leave. There are concrete talks with the new club. The clubs are in touch, and I need players who make the utmost effort”, said the German manager to Fabrizio Romano.
Since Napoli and Neres have already agreed on the terms of the deal, only the clubs have to find common ground. The deal will likely take place around €30 million after the Italian giants’ initial €25 million was refused.
Gilmour and Lukaku are waiting on the sidelines
After the Neres deal comes through, Napoli will focus on finalising two other deals that have been in the making for almost the whole summer.
One of Antonio Conte’s summer goals was to sign a replacement for Piotr Zielinski, who left on a free transfer to Inter. The name Napoli focused on is Billy Gilmour.
The 23-years midfielder has already amassed 30 caps for Scotland and seems eager to work with the ex-Chelsea boss. A product of Glasgow Rangers’ academy, he moved to Chelsea in 2017, who sold him to Brighton for €8.3m in 2022
Last season, he played 41 in all competitions for the Seagulls, contributing two assists.
The icing on the cake, though, would be Romelu Lukaku. The 31-year-old striker has played his best football under Antonio Conte, scoring 64 goals and assisting another 17 over the 95 matches played under him.
Lukaku’s arrival depends on Osihmen’s departure, as the Nigerian already made it clear that he wants to leave. Since the €100 million price tag requested by Napoli seems out of reach, the financial implications of this deal must be sorted out.
With Chelsea and PSG among the suitors, Napoli can work a deal that includes getting Lukaku and some money for Osihmen. According to BetBrain, the agreement has an odds of 1.40 to happen, which, in sports betting terms, is almost a given.