Napoli Determined to Keep Rising Star
Napoli have emphatically rejected a series of €30 million offers for midfielder Antonio Vergara, with the youngster now poised to commit his long-term future to the club. The 21-year-old Italy U21 international has been in impressive form and is viewed as a key part of the first-team plans under new manager Massimiliano Allegri.
Multiple clubs, believed to include several from across Europe, tabled bids in the region of €30m, but Napoli made it immediately clear that the player is not for sale. Instead, the Serie A outfit are preparing a new long-term contract for Vergara, rewarding his development and securing his services for years to come.
De Laurentiis Lays Out Transfer Strategy
President Aurelio De Laurentiis has been characteristically upfront about the club’s transfer window priorities, revealing that while offers are flooding in, the focus is on trimming the bloated squad before any major arrivals.
"Allegri and I will get along well, but we have to reduce the number of players. We've received 200 offers for players, but we must decide who stays and who goes," De Laurentiis said, as reported by Football Italia.
Those comments underline Napoli’s stance: Vergara is firmly in the ‘stay’ category, and the new contract is expected to be finalized shortly. The Italian club sees the young midfielder as a symbol of the project being built under Allegri, who is keen to integrate academy products and young talents.
Lukaku Edging Towards Exit
While Vergara’s future looks settled, the same cannot be said for Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker appears to be heading for the exit door, with Napoli seeking around €10 million for his services. Turkish giants Besiktas and Fenerbahce have registered serious interest, and a move to the Süper Lig could materialize in the coming weeks.
Lukaku’s departure would free up significant wages and further emphasize Napoli’s commitment to refreshing the squad with emerging talent rather than established stars. The contrast between the club’s determination to keep Vergara and willingness to sell Lukaku illustrates a clear strategic shift.
Key Takeaways
- Napoli refuse to sell Antonio Vergara despite multiple €30m bids
- Vergara set to sign new long-term contract with the Partenopei
- President De Laurentiis reveals club has received 200 offers for players
- Romelu Lukaku could depart for around €10m, with Turkish clubs keen
Quick Facts
Player: Antonio Vergara
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
National Team: Italy U21
Rejected Bids: €30m
Contract Status: Set to sign new long-term deal
Source: Football Italia