Napoli need to sell before signing priority Juventus target | OneFootball

Napoli have identified Juventus defender Danilo as their favourite option to strengthen Antonio Conte’s defence, but they first need to make room for him by offloading some players willing to get more playing time elsewhere.

Signing a centre-back became an absolute priority for the Partenopei after Alessandro Buongiorno picked up an injury that will keep him sidelined until mid-January, forcing the Italian coach to replace him with either Juan Jesus or Rafa Marin, who are not seen as reliable enough.

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 08: Alessandro Buongiorno of Napoli during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

However, they have to free some space on their Serie A squad list in order to add new players, and midfielder Michael Folorunsho, left-back Leonardo Spinazzola and Giacomo Raspadori are among the major candidates to leave the club.

Napoli: signing of Danilo tied to sale of outcast players

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are several aspects which make Danilo an ideal profile for Napoli – Conte rates the defender highly for his experience and versatility, which allows him to play on both sides, as well as a centre-back.

With the Brazilian’s contract expiring next summer, Juventus may be willing to include him and Nicolò Fagioli in a swap deal that would see Raspadori head in the opposite direction, as Thiago Motta sees him as a perfect alternative to Dusan Vlahovic.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 27: Thiago Motta, Head Coach of Juventus, interacts with his players Danilo and Nicolo Fagioli during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 27, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The sale of Folorunsho and Spinazzola, with Fiorentina potentially interested in the duo, could be the first move prompting Napoli to accelerate talks with the Bianconeri.

Centre-back Rafa Marin could also switch the Partenopei with Como, where he hopes to get more minutes on the field under Cesc Fabregas after never starting a Serie A match at the Stadio Diego Maradona since his arrival last summer.