Napoli Put Their Hands on Up-and-Coming Empoli Defender

Napoli have reached an agreement in principle with Empoli for Luca Marianucci. The parties are ironing out the final details and could announce the deal in the next few days already. The Azzurri had identified him as a fallback for Pietro Comuzzo in January, Alfredo Pedullà informs.

The Partenopei will shell out €9M, while the youngster will ink a five-year deal. The 20-year-old has appeared 14 times this campaign, starting on 8 occasions and providing 2 assists in the Coppa Italia. Roberto D’Aversa decided to keep him in the squad after a sound loan spell at Pro Sesto in Serie C last year. He stepped in lately while Ardian Ismajli and Mattia Viti were hurt.

Napoli wish to sign a highly-rated defender in addition to Marianucci to bolster their future rearguard. They are one of the many sides eyeing Bologna’s Sam Beukema. His valuation has at least tripled since he came in on a €7.5M transfer from AZ in 2023. The Dutch side is owed 10 percent of the fee of his sale.

The Azzurri are also interested in Oumar Solet, who didn’t need much time to turn heads and draw suitors after joining Udinese on a free in January.

Our Take on Napoli and Marianucci

He’s a pretty good prospect, but he’s one more for the future than for next season, especially after what happened with Rafa Marin, who had a better resume. There’s a chance both are loaned out. They can move pieces around, but the number of center-backs they’ll need hinges on what their chief style of defense will be.

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