Napoli have already spent approximately €70 million this transfer window, not on new acquisitions, but on fulfilling previously agreed payments for existing squad members, according to reports in Italy. The club has settled outstanding fees related to the transfers of Alisson Santos, Rasmus Hojlund, and Lorenzo Lucca.
The most significant outlay was the completion of Rasmus Hojlund’s transfer from Manchester United, which ultimately cost Napoli €50 million due to a pre-existing agreement triggered by Romelu Lukaku’s injury last season. Six million euros had already been sent to the English club initially, with the remaining €44 million recently deposited. Alisson Santos’s loan deal from Sporting Lisbon has also been finalized with a further €16.5 million added to the initial €3 million payment, securing the Brazilian’s services for another five years.
Lorenzo Lucca’s move, facilitated through a deal with Gino Pozzo, also involved a staggered payment structure. Napoli initially paid €9 million, followed by a further €26 million to be paid in installments over the next three years. These substantial payments, exceeding the financial rewards of Champions League qualification, have prompted club president Aurelio De Laurentiis to initiate a significant squad overhaul.
Napoli currently have 47 players on their books, a number that has already been reduced to 46 with Turi’s departure to Pineto. De Laurentiis has reportedly tasked sporting director Giovanni Manna with identifying and selling 25 players to reduce the wage bill and balance the club’s finances. This process is a continuation of the streamlining efforts undertaken by Manna last summer, and will focus on players who have not met expectations or are deemed surplus to requirements. De Laurentiis stated at a recent event that the club intends to adopt a different transfer strategy this window, prioritizing sales before making significant new signings.
