Two players have already bid farewell to Napoli. Tanguy Ndombele and Bartosz Bereszyński returned to Tottenham and Sampdoria, respectively, as their loan spells ended on the 30th of June.
Meanwhile, with only a year left on their respective contracts, Diego Demme, Hirving Lozano and Piotr Zielinski have all been subjects of transfer speculation.
According to Italian media, Demme would like to join Hertha Berlin, despite the German club’s recent relegation to 2. Bundesliga. The move could involve a swap for defensive midfielder Lucas Tousart, who played under Rudi Garcia at Lyon.
However, Sassuolo’s Maxime Lopez appears to be the favourite to replace Demme. Lopez also played under Garcia (at Marseille), and in a recent interview with Le Media Carré, the Frenchman hinted at a desire to play for Napoli.
“I spent three seasons at Sassuolo, which is a great club. I’ve already talked to them about my future. I thanked them because in a certain sense they’ve relaunched my career and they’ve also allowed me to excel, but I think the time has come to go and to aim higher.
“I feel very good in Italy. I love this country, I speak the language. There are big clubs and it would be best if I could go to one of those clubs. I also really like a southern club that reminds me a lot of Marseille.”
Hirving Lozano is also expected to move on. According to Spanish media outlet Fichajes.net, Aston Villa are prepared to offer approximately €25-30 million for the Mexican winger. Meanwhile, transfer expert Nicolò Schira reported that a Saudi Arabian club has offered El Chucky a three-year contract valued at €10 million/season.
The least likely of the three to leave Napoli is Piotr Zielinski. With an annual salary of €4.5 million net, the Polish midfielder is amongst the highest paid players in the squad. However, according to Corriere dello Sport, Zielinski is willing to spread his salary over three seasons to remain at the club.
That report was prior to the 30th of June, when the midfielder’s home was burgled. Zielinski and his family were vacationing in Sardinia while burglars entered his home and reportedly stole cash, jewelry, collectible shirts and a Mercedes AMG GT 63 (valued at €200,000). The vehicle, which was equipped with a black box, was located shortly after the family’s house alarm notified local police of the break and enter.
Nevertheless, Zielu is in love with Naples. “Here I am to write a few words for one of the most beautiful things in my life… Naples loved me as much as I have always tried to give her my best on the pitch, trying to repay your affection.” said Zielinski, at the unveiling of his giant mural in Quarto. “But never, ever would I have thought that one day I would be the protagonist of such an important mural!”
Two weeks later, while on international duty, the Napoli veteran was caught singing Ciccio Merolla’s Malatìa as he stepped out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. Suffice to say, if Zielinski doesn’t play for Napoli next season, it won’t be because he didn’t want to.
