As the winter transfer window approaches, Napoli are actively seeking a central defender to bolster their squad. One of the names on their radar is Luiz Felipe, a 27-year-old Italo-Brazilian defender who has recently become available after leaving Al-Ittihad.
Corriere dello Sport report how Luiz Felipe made a name for himself in Serie A with Salernitana and Lazio before moving to Spain’s Real Betis. His time in Spain was short-lived, and he later joined Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, where he played alongside stars like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté. However, his experience in the Saudi Pro League did not go as planned, leading to limited playing time and ultimately a mutual termination of his contract.
Now a free agent, Luiz Felipe is attracting interest from both Napoli and Juventus. His familiarity with Serie A makes him an appealing option for clubs looking to strengthen their defenses. The player himself has expressed a desire to return to Europe, particularly Italy.
Napoli’s interest in Luiz Felipe comes after a recent Coppa Italia match against Lazio highlighted their need for defensive reinforcements. While the current defensive pairing of Rrahmani and Buongiorno has shown promise, the club recognizes the importance of having reliable alternatives as they aim for high-level competition.
In addition to Luiz Felipe, Napoli’s director Giovanni Manna is considering other options. Among the potential targets are young talents like Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal and Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona, as well as experienced players like Danilo from Juventus, who may be available due to limited playing time.
