Speaking In a recent press conference at Napoli’s training center in Castel Volturno, Sporting Director Giovanni Manna provided insights into the club’s January transfer window activities and future strategies. The conference addressed several key points, including the departure of star player Kvaratskhelia, unsuccessful transfer attempts, and the club’s overall vision.
Manna began by addressing the controversial exit of Kvaratskhelia, stating, “We thank Kvara for what he did in Naples, what he gave to the city. We tried to resolve a complicated situation in July, then in November and December, but we were forced to sell him in this session because we found ourselves, I won’t say blackmailed, but almost.” He emphasized that the sale was not due to financial necessity but rather the player’s desire to leave.
The sporting director revealed several near-misses in the transfer market. Notably, Napoli came close to signing Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. “We made a significant offer to United, we came very close,” Manna explained. However, the deal fell through due to salary demands that exceeded Napoli’s wage structure.
Similar situations occurred with players like Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund and Saint-Maximin. Manna expressed regret over time wasted pursuing high-value targets, stating, “The regret is that we could have gone earlier for a profile like this, instead of trying to chase players we had as objectives with high value and who made us waste time.”
Looking ahead, Manna outlined Napoli’s approach to transfers: “Napoli must sign strong players, whether they are young or older. If there’s an opportunity like McTominay, we take it, but we’re not a club that signs a free agent for 5 million in salary and 6 million in commissions.”
He emphasized the importance of signing players who fit the club’s ethos and are eager to join, saying, “If you want to come to Napoli, you must really want to come. If things change and we need to accommodate, I don’t like it.”
Despite the transfer window challenges, Manna expressed confidence in the current squad. “We have a group that has earned 54 points and is growing strongly, and we shouldn’t undervalue it,” he stated. The primary goal remains qualifying for European competitions, preferably through the “main door” of Champions League qualification.
Manna called for calm and realism among fans and media, saying, “I want to calm the spirits. I hear people saying we could win the Scudetto, but calm down. We all know the objective, the coach knows what we need to do, we all know and we’ll get there.”
