Napoli Forced to Look Into New Options in the Back

Napoli will go back to the drawing board after Danilo chose to return to Brazil and will re-examine previous and new targets to address their rearguard. For now, they’ll keep Rafa Marin, even though the negotiation with Villarreal is basically complete.

The youngster will depart on loan if the Partenopei finds a substitute Antonio Conte likes more. They had a chance to onboard Milan Skriniar as part of the Khvicha Kvaratskhelia deal. However, they passed on it primarily due to his massive wages.

The Slovak is headed to Fenerbahce, Relevo’s Matteo Moretto reports. The José Mourinho-led team turned to him as Strahinja Pavlovic declined the move. The negotiation with Milan was progressing nicely and could have been concluded for about €20M.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ardian Ismajli is still on the Napoli shortlist. His contract runs out in June. Empoli might take the chance to cash in a little rather than face the risk of losing him gratis. The Azzurri are also keen on Sebastiano Esposito, whom they could pursue if Giacomo Raspadori or Cyril Ngonge left.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Partenopei are mulling Marin Pongracic, who never found his footing at Fiorentina following a €15M move from Lecce and an early injury. He has made just one nine-minute-long appearance in Serie A from November on.

Our Take on the Napoli Defense

It’d be better for them and Marin if he left on loan so he could grow and perhaps become an asset in the future. Ismajli would be perfectly apt for the role, but it won’t be too hard to find a relatively cheap veteran.