Napoli have identified Udinese midfielder Arthur Atta as their preferred candidate to reinforce their midfield ahead of the summer transfer window, according to sources close to the club. The 23-year-old Ghanaian is viewed as a potential long-term successor to Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, with the Partenopei's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, leading the pursuit. A deal is expected to be complex, with Udinese's valuation for a key player estimated to be around 20 million euros.
The need for midfield reinforcements has become a priority for Napoli, with Eljif Elmas poised to depart permanently following his loan to RB Leipzig. While Anguissa remains a crucial figure, the club's strategy involves planning for the future, seeking a player with the physical and technical attributes to eventually anchor the midfield. Atta, who has made 28 Serie A appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist, fits the profile with his combative style, engine, and ability to influence big matches, evidenced by goals against Lazio, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
According to the report, Napoli scouts have been diligently monitoring Atta for several months, attending Udinese matches home and away to build a comprehensive dossier. The long-standing and generally positive transfer relationship between Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Udinese's Pozzo family is seen as a facilitating factor, though negotiations are anticipated to require patience. Historical deals between the clubs, such as the protracted move for Gokhan Inler, suggest a willingness to wait for the right opportunity.
Atta is not the only midfielder on Napoli's shortlist. The club's data analysis and scouting department have also been tracking Wolverhampton Wanderers' Brazilian international Joao Gomes, 25, and Benfica's Colombian midfielder Richard Rios, 26. Both players offer similar profiles of tenacity and ball-winning ability. However, Atta is currently considered the front-runner due to his younger age, proven adaptation to Serie A, and perceived higher ceiling for development under incoming coach Antonio Conte.
The potential acquisition signals a shift towards a more physically dominant and energetic midfield, a hallmark of Conte's preferred tactical systems. Securing a player of Atta's profile would provide immediate depth and a prospective heir to Anguissa, whose own future at the club may come under review in the coming years due to his age. For Udinese, selling a key asset for a significant fee would align with their model, though replacing his influence in the squad would be a subsequent challenge.
