Giovanni Manna and Antonio Conte represent Napoli’s hope of returning to being competitive at the highest levels in Serie A. Saying the word Scudetto after finishing last season in tenth place may seem utopian but when the former Juventus and Inter coach sits on the bench it is impossible not to aspire to the top. As long as the requests on the market are met to build a team in his image and likeness.
Listen to “Napoli, Rafa Marin closing: what changes with Buongiorno and Hermoso” on Spreaker.
FIRST SHOT – Antonio Conte’s idea is to develop his game with a slightly different scheme compared to the recent past: a 3-4-3 very similar to that of Gasperini’s Atalanta. The Salento coach asked Giovanni Manna for three new defenders and was immediately satisfied with the first shot: the 22nd Spanish defender Rafa Marin is arriving from Real Madrid. In the last season the canterano dei blancos he was one of the best performing defenders in La Liga with Alaves, where he arrived on loan last summer. The operation is very close to closing, so much so that the details will be defined in the next few hours: we are moving towards a loan with obligation to buy for a total cost of 9 million euros, contract until 2029 for the central defender who had several requests from Spanish clubs. It cannot be ruled out that i blancos also insert a buy-back clause so as not to lose control over the player.
BETWEEN GOOD MORNING AND HERMOSO – The purchase of Rafa Marin does not change Napoli’s plans on Alessandro Buongiorno: after reaching a general agreement with the player, the Italian club also started initial contacts with Torino. Giovanni Manna works with confidence for the Granata defender and does not let go of the free agent Mario Hermoso. The experienced Spanish defender is very attracted by the possibility of working with Antonio Conte and will soon dispel any doubts about his future. Napoli presented him with an ambitious project and an important economic offer, yes, but lower than what was requested. In the meantime, Aurelio De Laurentiis has given his approval to the first Italian strike by the name of Rafa Marin.
