Napoli defied the odds to win the Scudetto last season, defeating Inter in one of the most dramatic title races in recent memory. With none of the most recent five reigning holders managing to retain the crown, history isn’t exactly on their side heading into 2025/26.

Therefore, Antonio Conte has taken a proactive approach in the transfer market. The 55-year-old has been busy in the early summer after guiding Napoli to their fourth Serie A triumph in his first season at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Expectations were low last summer as Napoli slumped to a 10th-place finish in the 2023/24 campaign. However, Conte steadied the ship and reinstilled a winning mentality in Naples. It’s now up to Aurelio De Laurentis to hold up his end of the bargain and upgrade the squad.

Conte has become notorious for severing ties with clubs over broken promises or a lack of ambition. With Champions League football returning to Napoli, the onus is now on De Laurentiis to back his manager in the transfer market.

It seems that Napoli’s controversial president is well aware of Conte’s habits. As such, the Partenopei have been active this summer. Without further ado, let’s look at their transfer dealings.

Key Exits

After losing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain in January, Napoli parted ways with another architect of the 2022/23 Scudetto. Indeed, Victor Osimhen has forced his move to Galatasaray following a remarkable season-long loan at Rams Park.

Napoli expect Osimhen’s impending exit to bring in €75 million. It’s one of the most lucrative sales in club history. More importantly, it will likely remain the only notable departure this summer. However, several fringe players have left Naples.

Brazilian center-back Natan has joined Real Betis, while goalkeeper Elia Caprile moved to Cagliari. Gianluca Gaetano has completed a permanent transfer to the Unipol Domus. Furthermore, Napoli have loaned out four more out-of-four stars.

Jesper Lindstrom will spend next season at Wolfsburg, while Rafa Marin returns to La Liga with Villarreal. Cyril Ngonge and Michael Folorunsho will stay in Serie A. The former has linked up with Torino, while the latter signed a year-long contract at Cagliari.

Notable signings

In addition to multiple outgoing deals, Napoli have been relentless in the incoming market. The arrival of Kevin De Bruyne takes center stage. After ten years at Manchester City, one of the best playmakers in Premier League history reunites with his international colleague, Romelu Lukaku.

Despite being 34, De Bruyne will be a massive coup for Napoli, who often struggled for creativity last term. Meanwhile, Napoli failed to replace Kvaratskhelia in January. However, they’ve found a long-term replacement for the Georgian winger in the form of Noa Lang.

The 26-year-old forward has come in from PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of €25 million. Lang isn’t the only attacking reinforcement. Lorenzo Lucca has joined Napoli from Udinese, with the Partenopei forking out €9 million for a season-long loan.

However, there’s an obligation clause that will see the towering striker move to Naples permanently next summer for around €26 million. Conte has also added Sam Beukema to his sturdy backline, paying Bologna €31 million for the Dutch center-back.

Finally, star goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic has arrived on loan from Torino.

What’s next?

Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho has been on Napoli’s radar since the beginning of the summer. Despite several attacking signings, the Argentine winger could complete his switch to Serie A now that the Red Devils want to offload him at all costs.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s recent report, agents have offered Chelsea flop Raheem Sterling to Napoli. However, the Englishman’s wages could deter the Partenopei from opening talks. On the other hand, more players could leave Naples in the coming weeks.

With Lucca set to compete with Lukaku for a place in the final third, Giovanni Simeone’s future at the Maradona Stadium looks sealed. As per Football Italia, Torino have joined newly promoted Serie A club Pisa in the race for El Cholito.