Napoli manager Antonio Conte will hold talks with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis once Champions League qualification is mathematically secured, according to reports in Italy. Napoli currently need just one win in their final three Serie A matches to guarantee a top-four finish.
Despite falling short of retaining their Scudetto title, Napoli are aiming to secure at least a second-place finish, a significant shift from the initial expectations at the start of the season. De Laurentiis is reportedly unhappy with the club’s performance, particularly their group stage exit in the Champions League, quarter-final elimination from the Coppa Italia, and failure to mount a sustained title challenge.
The upcoming meeting between Conte and De Laurentiis will focus on several key issues, including the club’s rising wage bill, which currently stands at €109 million gross (€135 million including bonuses). A substantial 61% of this total is allocated to players over the age of 30. This has led to a focus on squad rejuvenation, with the club aiming to reduce costs by signing younger players and offloading some of their current squad members.
Several players are expected to depart, including Juan Jesus and Spinazzola, both of whom are out of contract. The future of Romelu Lukaku, the club’s third-highest earner, is also in doubt. The situation surrounding Kevin De Bruyne, the highest-paid player at the club, and goalkeeper Alex Meret, who is no longer the first-choice, is less certain. Napoli are also anticipating the return of twenty players from loan spells, with only Zerbin’s move to Cremonese currently carrying a mandatory purchase clause.
Over the past two years, Napoli have invested €389.5 million in player acquisitions, a figure that could rise to €421.5 million including potential buyouts, while generating €225 million from sales, resulting in a net spend of €164.5 million. The club will also examine the high number of injuries sustained this season – 42 in total, with 33 being muscle-related – a concern De Laurentiis intends to address. This season will be Conte’s worst since his first year at Juventus, failing to reach 80 points in the league.
The team currently prepares for a crucial match against Bologna, which could seal their Champions League spot.
