Napoli eye Gutiérrez: talks on, want deal done before season starts | OneFootball

In the Napoli camp, they are aiming to complete the final pieces. Antonio Conte, forced to revise plans after Mathías Olivera's injury, is pushing to immediately acquire a new left-back. The most favored profile is that of Miguel Gutiérrez, a Spanish talent from Girona who grew up in Real Madrid's youth academy. He is the name highlighted in red by the Salento coach. After weeks of contacts, the player's agent, Manuel García Quillón, confirmed on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli that "the parties are talking, but a total agreement has not yet been reached." Translated: negotiations are ongoing, but a decisive financial effort is needed.

Napoli-Girona, negotiations for Gutiérrez: the situation

Girona starts with a firm point: the release clause of 35 million euros, with a particular condition. Half of any proceeds would go to Real Madrid, by virtue of the agreement signed in 2022, when the Catalan club acquired the left-back for only 4 million. According to Tribuna and Marca, Napoli has put forward an offer of about 30 million.

Girona hesitates: with the current formula, they would receive "only" 15 million net. De Laurentiis, for his part, is studying a revised proposal: a slightly lower fixed part and easily achievable bonuses – linked to appearances and qualification for the next Champions League – to reach a total operation of about 32 million. According to Football España, recent contacts have been fruitful: the agreement for the transfer is now close. The agreement with the player remains to be finalized: Gutiérrez would have already accepted a four-year contract worth 2.5 million net per season, but the agreement on the variable part linked to individual and European objectives is missing.

The profile of Gutiérrez

Born in 2001, having turned 24 in July, Miguel Gutiérrez is a modern left-footed winger. In the recently concluded season, he made 36 appearances between La Liga and cups, scoring 2 goals and providing 6 assists. Technical, dynamic, with midfielder-like feet and surprising endurance (over 10 km on average per game), he is considered one of the best prospects in Spanish football for his role. A reassuring fact also concerns his physical condition: after ankle surgery in the summer, he missed only six weeks and will be ready by mid-September. Tottenham and Bayer Leverkusen have also shown interest in him, but so far no official offer has been made. Napoli can count on the player's willingness, attracted by Serie A and the Champions League showcase.

The role of Real Madrid

If the deal closes at the hypothesized figures, Real Madrid – thanks to the future resale clause – would earn between 12 and 15 million without lifting a finger. An advantageous operation also for Florentino Pérez, who can reinvest the money in some young talent on the rise. However, Girona needs to decide quickly. Selling now is beneficial for everyone, except for the Catalan fans, who risk losing one of the team's pillars. De Laurentiis is preparing the final bid: cash plus achievable bonuses to unlock the agreement. Then it will be up to Gutiérrez to decide whether to write the next chapter of his career in the shadow of Vesuvius.

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.