Napoli will have to rely on all the tricks in the book if they are to keep together their now historic 2022/23 title winning team as interest ramps up in their stars. The unexpected heroes from southern Italy have shocked many throughout Europe with the simplicity and dominance with which they waltzed to the Scudetto.
Led by Nigerian goalscoring machine Victor Osimhen and aided by one of the biggest breakout stars across the game in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Italian side have gained plenty of new fans. Though this is largely a positive thing and brought about their first league win in 33-years, they are now at the mercy of Europe's top dogs in the transfer market.
Just like Ajax's young side of 2019, Napoli could find themselves struggling to hold off big-money offers for the impressive cogs of their free-scoring side. Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-Jae are the three biggest attractions.
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Chelsea are amongst the interested flock of sides keen to add Osimhen to their squad for the new campaign after his 23 goals so far this term. His £150m price tag is a stumbling block, as is dealing with the notoriously tough negotiator Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The Italian movie producer has developed a name as driving a hard deal and rarely gets caught out. He has already been bullish about selling his stars, saying: "I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer — no way,
"Am I sure to keep everyone next season? Not only keep, I want to add others. I would like to have an American and a Japanese player. But I don't want to sell any of our players."
The 23-year-old is set to receive some major money offers this summer, though, with Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester United all holding an interest in Osimhen. But it's their manager that could be the first to go, according to reports. La Gazzetto dello Sport write that contarct talks with Luciano Spalletti have stalled and that they are no longer on speaking terms.
This comes as a shock as De Laurentiis said earlier this month: “I’ve already activated and triggered the option to extend Luciano Spalletti’s contract for next season." The experienced head coach had been on the shortlist for Chelsea and Tottenham as they look for new managers.
However, they could be set for a shock replacement at the end of the season despite their success. Former Chelsea and already ex-Napoli man Rafa Benitez has been linked with a return to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Due to Spalletti's concerns over challenging at the top once more next year and growing expectations, his honesty is said to be a big issue between the pair.
The report continues to describe that although initial talks over a fresh and improved two-year deal had been discussed, the presence of director Cristiano Giuntoli has slowed things down as he is expected to leave the club. It now throws plenty up into the air that could impact on the potential transfer ins and out at Stamford Bridge.
Only last week De Laurentiis expressed his desire to sign an American this summer. It has also been reported that Christian Pulisic is already a target for the Italian champions. As ever, we must now wait to see what transpires.
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