Napoli is actively monitoring the performances of Girona defender Miguel Gutierrez amid heightened interest from several top European clubs. The left-back, who left Real Madrid for Girona last year, is reportedly under close watch following his recent performances. According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Napoli scouts were present during Girona’s impressive 2-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava on October 22, where Gutierrez not only performed well defensively but also marked his score sheet, netting his first goal of the 2024-25 season.
Gutierrez, whose contract with Girona includes a €9 million buy-back clause for Real Madrid, has been pivotal with 35 appearances last season and nine this season alone. Real Madrid seems disinterested in activating the buy-back clause, preferring to receive 50% of the transfer fee should Gutierrez be sold to another club, paving the way for Napoli and other clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich to potentially secure the 23-year-old talent.
Meanwhile, Napoli’s focus shifts to cup competitions as they prepare to face Lazio in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia. This anticipated match kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on December 5, 2024. Lazio enters the clash with mixed momentum, having recently suffered disappointing results after a strong run but still sits fifth in Serie A. Conversely, Napoli’s morale is sky-high, topping the league table and having had rest from European commitments. Coach Antonio Conte guided Napoli through early rounds of the tournament, defeating Modena and Palermo, which sets up the dramatic meeting with Lazio.
Alex Meret, Napoli's goalkeeper, expressed satisfaction with the team’s current form, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their lead at the top of Serie A. Following Napoli's narrow 2-1 victory against Genoa on December 21, 2024, Meret highlighted the need for the team to manage their errors to stay competitive. “We want to stay at the top of the table,” Meret said, reflecting on their performance where they defended admirably under pressure from the opposing team.
Napoli secured their victory through powerful headers from Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Amir Rrahmani. The match at the Luigi Ferraris stadium marked the team's sustained momentum as they remain one point clear of Atalanta, enhancing their grip on the league with 38 points from 17 games.
With the January transfer window approaching, rumors are swirling around potential new signings. The club is reportedly interested in strengthening their squad by considering Aston Villa’s Colombian striker Jhon Durán as they look for support for Romelu Lukaku. Not only are top clubs like PSG and Bayern Munich keeping tabs on Durán, but reports suggest Napoli sees him as the ideal partner for their star forward, aiming to bolster their attacking options.
Observers note Durán's rising value, currently pegged at €40 million, could escalate if he continues his impressive scoring rate this season. Further aligning with their transfer strategy, Napoli has also set their eyes on Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. Chief Giovanni Manna discussed potential replacements for Alessandro Buongiorno, who is injured. “The idea of going to get a replacement implies several evaluations,” he stated, hinting at the possibility of bringing experienced players like Maguire to shore up their defense.
Napoli's interactions during the winter transfer window will be pivotal, not only concerning player acquisitions but also their performance as they tackle Lazio next week. All eyes will be on how they approach both the match and the transition period, especially as the Serie A season heats up and clubs aim to solidify their standings or make bold moves to ascend the table.
