Napoli head coach Antonio Conte is already looking ahead to the January transfer window to strengthen his squad. Gazzetta dello Sport report how despite the club’s significant summer spending of 142 million euros, Conte believes additional reinforcements are necessary to accelerate the team’s “modernization” process.
The Italian tactician has identified key areas for improvement, including a central defender to provide depth behind Rrahmani and Buongiorno, a midfielder with clean passing ability to enhance the team’s play, and a left-sided defensive player.
In defence, Juventus veteran Danilo, 33, has emerged as a potential last-minute target. Alternatively, Jaka Bijol, 26, from Udinese is under consideration, though he would come with a price tag of around 15 million euros. Reports from England suggest an offer has been made to Arsenal for Jakub Kiwior, 24, but this claim has been dismissed by sources close to Napoli.
The midfield is another area of focus for Conte. While the trio of Anguissa, Lobotka, and McTominay are established starters, the coach is seeking a player who can provide both creativity and physicality. Kenneth Taylor, the 22-year-old Ajax midfielder, is viewed as a potential addition who could adapt quickly and contribute to both the current campaign and future seasons.
On the left flank, Patrick Dorgu, 20, from Lecce has caught Napoli’s attention with his versatility. However, any move for Dorgu is more likely to materialize in June. In the meantime, Fiorentina’s Cristiano Biraghi has emerged as a surprise option following his recent exclusion from the team.
The question remains: how much more can Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis invest after the club’s substantial summer outlay? With 23 matches left in the season, Conte is eager to fine-tune his squad for a strong finish to the campaign and to lay the groundwork for future success.