Napoli, Italy – Oct 20: Manager Massimiliano Allegri reacts during Napoli’s Champions League match against Bodø/Glimt at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Allegri is said to be pushing for four January signings – a right‑back, a gritty midfielder and two forwards – after Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca are set to depart.
The club’s form in Serie A and Europe is abysmal, yet while critics demand Allegri’s sack, owner Aurelio De Laurentiis appears ready to back him up. For my money, De Laurentiis’ faith could be the spark Napoli needs.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Allegri has pinpointed four specific positions and floated a handful of intriguing candidates.
Napoli’s January wish list
With Giovanni Di Lorenzo sidelined, Napoli lack a true right‑back; Costantino Favasuli functions more as a wing‑back than a defensive stalwart.
The report names Shakhtar’s Vinicius Tobias, who featured in the 1‑0 Champions League loss to Inter last month, as a possible recruit.
In midfield, a substitute for the physical Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa is needed; Monaco’s Mamadou Coulibaly may be too pricey at around €40 million, so Sassuolo’s Darryl Bakola offers a cheaper alternative.
Both Lang and Lucca are expected to exit again after failing to win over fans during ill‑fated loan spells last season.
Consequently, Napoli require two attackers, ideally a centre‑forward in the mould of Rasmus Højlund.
The primary target is Monza’s Gustavo Varela, who earned his first Portugal senior call after netting nine goals in his first ten Serie A games and scoring a brace in the Coppa Italia. Can these signings revive Napoli’s season?