Napoli have already spent approximately €70 million this transfer window, not on new acquisitions, but on fulfilling existing payment obligations for players already at the club, according to reports in Italy. The club has settled outstanding fees related to previous deals, including those for Alisson Santos and Rasmus Hojlund.
The most recent payment saw Napoli complete the permanent transfer of Alisson Santos from Sporting Lisbon, with a further €16.5 million added to the initial €3 million installment paid in January for the loan deal, securing the Brazilian forward for another five years. A significant outlay of €44 million was also made to Manchester United for Hojlund, bringing the total cost for the Danish striker to €50 million after an initial payment was made following Romelu Lukaku’s injury.
Further back, a deal with Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo for Lorenzo Lucca also involved a staggered payment plan, with an initial €9 million paid immediately and a further €26 million to be paid over three years to finalize the transfer. These cumulative payments demonstrate a substantial financial commitment from club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, exceeding the revenue typically generated by Champions League qualification.
Napoli now face the task of reducing their squad size, with reports suggesting as many as 25 players could be offloaded. The club currently has 47 players on the books, reduced to 46 with Turi’s departure to Pineto, and the associated wage bill is proving a significant strain on the club’s finances. New sporting director Giovanni Manna is tasked with finding new clubs for these players, a process that began last summer and continues this window. De Laurentiis himself publicly acknowledged the need to reduce the squad, stating the club needs to adopt a different market strategy than in previous years. The initial focus will be on player sales before further additions are considered.
