Napoli are targeting Bayer Leverkusen defender Kerim Alajbegovic as part of a significant summer defensive rebuild, according to reports from Italy. The Serie A club, preparing for a return to the Champions League, have identified the 18-year-old, currently on loan at RB Salzburg, as a key objective alongside Udinese's Arthur Atta, Real Madrid's Janlu Sanchez, and Villarreal's Rafa Marin.
The club's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, is leading the pursuit, with Napoli's strategy focused on adding quality and youth to a squad that has won two of the last three Serie A titles. The potential moves come ahead of a crucial planning meeting between president Aurelio De Laurentiis and head coach Antonio Conte to shape the project for the coming season. The need for reinforcements is driven by an aging defense, with captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo turning 33 in August and Juan Jesus expected to depart.
Alajbegovic, who will be 19 in September, has impressed during his spell in Austria, prompting Napoli to make a cautious initial approach. According to the reports, the club is aware that negotiating with Bundesliga champions Leverkusen for the young defender will be challenging. His profile fits the club's desire to invest in promising talent with high resale value, a philosophy strongly endorsed by De Laurentiis.
The other names on the list address specific positional needs. Arthur Atta, the 23-year-old French midfielder from Udinese, is viewed as potential cover or competition for the midfield, where André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka face uncertain futures amid expected transfer interest. Janlu Sanchez, the 22-year-old Spanish right-back from Real Madrid, has been a long-term target seen as the eventual successor to Di Lorenzo.
Rafa Marin, the 24-year-old Spanish centre-back, could return to Napoli if the club decides to activate a buy-back clause following his loan to Villarreal, providing a direct replacement for Juan Jesus. Napoli are also reportedly monitoring 18-year-old Karim Coulibaly, though any move for the young defender would command a substantial fee.
Further squad decisions loom beyond defensive recruits. Midfielder Eljif Elmas is set to return to RB Leipzig following his loan, while the future of winger Noa Lang, who is on loan at Antalyaspor, will be evaluated. The club reportedly still values the Dutchman technically despite his mixed initial spell. Goalkeeper Alex Meret, who lost his starting position this season, is also due for a review with Conte regarding his role.
The planned investments signal Napoli's intent to build a squad capable of competing on domestic and European fronts. Securing a top-four finish and a Champions League place, which is yet to be mathematically confirmed but appears highly likely, is the immediate priority before the market formally opens.
