Goalkeeper Shake-Up Looms at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Napoli are bracing for a swift divorce from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic just one season after his €20 million arrival, with sporting director Giovanni Manna already zeroing in on PSV Eindhoven's Matej Kovar as a long-term successor. The Serbian goalkeeper's potential move to the Saudi Pro League, where his brother Sergej stars for Al-Hilal, has accelerated plans for a rebuild under incoming coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Milinkovic-Savic's Short-Lived Italian Adventure
Signed from Torino last summer with hopes of becoming the long-term heir to the gloves, the 27-year-old has failed to convince the club hierarchy. According to reports from Football Italia, Napoli have now decided that Alex Meret will be the undisputed number one next term, pushing Milinkovic-Savic towards the exit door.
"Milinkovic-Savic's departure appears increasingly likely," noted journalist Nicolò Schira, with the Saudi option emerging as a concrete possibility given the family ties.
A switch to the Gulf state would reunite him with his elder sibling, a key figure at Al-Hilal, and offers a lucrative escape route from a frustrating campaign in Serie A. While no formal offer has been tabled yet, intermediaries are exploring the feasibility of a deal that could see Napoli recoup a significant portion of their investment.
Kovar Emerges as the Chosen One
Matej Kovar, currently representing the Czech Republic at the World Cup, has been on Manna's radar since his impressive stint at Bayer Leverkusen before moving to PSV. The 26-year-old is viewed as a modern goalkeeper—technically sound with his feet, commanding in the air, and already accustomed to the demands of European football.
Allegri's system often relies on a goalkeeper capable of launching quick transitions, and Kovar's distribution statistics align perfectly with that philosophy. Negotiations with PSV are expected to commence once clarity emerges on Milinkovic-Savic's departure, but the Dutch side are under no immediate pressure to sell, having secured the Czech international on a long-term contract.
Simultaneous Defensive Reinforcement
While sorting the goalkeeping conundrum, Napoli are also making strides in their pursuit of Lazio centre-back Mario Gila. President Claudio Lotito has reportedly slashed the asking price from €30 million to €20 million amid financial pressures at the Roman club. The Spanish defender is seen as a direct replacement for Kim Min-jae, whose legacy still lingers at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Allegri has personally endorsed the signing, viewing Gila's physicality and ball-playing ability as essential components for his preferred three-man backline. Talks are advancing, though competition from Premier League suitors could complicate matters.
Key Takeaways
- Napoli are prepared to sell goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic after just one season.
- The player is strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, where his brother Sergej plays for Al-Hilal.
- Matej Kovar of PSV Eindhoven is the primary target to replace him, fitting Allegri's tactical demands.
- Simultaneously, Napoli are closing in on Lazio defender Mario Gila for a reduced €20 million fee.
- The changes signal a clear intent to reshape the squad ahead of Allegri's first full campaign in charge.
Quick Facts
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic's Napoli transfer fee: €20 million (2025)
Potential destination: Saudi Pro League
Matej Kovar's current club: PSV Eindhoven
Mario Gila's lowering asking price: €20 million (from €30m)
Incoming coach: Massimiliano Allegri
