Five key Conte quotes on Napoli transfers, Lukaku, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia | OneFootball

Here are eight key quotes from Antonio Conte’s first press conference as a new Napoli coach, including his role in the transfer market and the future of Victor Osimhen.

Conte held his first press conference today as Napoli’s new coach alongside President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Conte had been without a club since March 2023 when he parted company with Tottenham.

Below are five key quotes from his press conference, but you can click here to read it in full.

CONTROL OF TRANSFER WINDOW – “We’re handling them together with the club in the best possible way. I was very clear with the president, before talking about other economic and contractual aspects, I wanted the reassurance that I would decide who would stay and who could perhaps take other paths outside Napoli.”

OSIMHEN – “As far as Osimhen is concerned, just as I knew very well about the situation of Kvara, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, on whom I had an absolute veto, I know very well about the Osimhen situation. I know that there are agreements with the club, it’s a totally different situation, which I’ll witness. Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements.”

Osimhen has recently signed a contract extension with Napoli, but it includes a release clause, so the club is already prepared to sell him, so there isn’t much Conte can do. One of his potential replacements at the Stadio Maradona is Romelu Lukaku.

LUKAKU – “As for Romelu Lukaku, we’re talking about a strong player, as with Osimhen we’re talking about excellent players. There’s no comment to make, you just have to admire them when they play and always hope to have them on your side and never against you.”

SIGNINGS IN DEFENCE, INCLUDING BUONGIORNO – “The numbers often don’t tell the truth, but they still need to make us reflect. Last year Napoli conceded 48 goals, ended up being the tenth worst defence in the league, and strangely we ended up tenth. And the thing that’s a little disconcerting is that we conceded 27 goals at home, playing at the Maradona, the 15th worst defence. In away games, we only conceded 21 goals, which would be the fifth-best defence.”

KVARA – “He’ll stay. I feel no doubts. I repeat, there is no need to have them. I have been very categorical about this. I wouldn’t even want this refrain to happen again in the future. The president gave this wonderful news. Kvaratskhelia is the type of player who there’s are fewer and fewer with these characteristics, which is why it’s not a whim to want to keep Kvara, I consider him a really strong player, like Di Lorenzo.”

Aurelio De Laurentiis also spoke about Kvara, blaming PSG and their President Nasser Al-Khelaifi for contacting the Partenopei star without their consent.