Napoli have been active in the summer market as they look to build upon last season’s Scudetto triumph.
The historic club pipped Inter to the title on the final day of the season, beating Cagliari on home turf to kick off a city-wide celebration. However, Antonio Conte has been keen to invest in the squad in the off-season and have already sanctioned the signings of Sam Beukema and Noa Lang from Bologna and PSV, respectively, to strengthen in defence and attack.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic bolsters the Partenopei between the sticks, while Kevin De Bruyne is the marquee addition, the Belgian rejecting the chance to move to MLS or Saudi Arabia in favour of a switch to Italy following the culmination of his Manchester City deal.
And Conte is hoping to strengthen the left side further with the addition of Miguel Gutierrez, who has shone for Girona in recent years.
Advert
Gutierrez has previously had Premier League suitors
Manchester United and Liverpool have previously been credited with an interest in the Spaniard but it’s Napoli who are looking to win the race for Gutierrez.
Gutierrez is still owned in part by Real Madrid owing to a 50% sell on clause, while they opted against exercising their €8m buyback option, which expired in June.
However, while Girona have sanctioned Gutierrez’s €18m move to Napoli, the player himself is yet to agree to the switch.
With a full agreement in place between both clubs, Napoli are now working to convince the 24-year-old, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury, to join the likes of De Bruyne and Scott McTominay in Italy.
Napoli have been keen on Gutierrez since the winter but the Italian side were unable to convince Girona into selling one of their prized assets at the turn of the year.
Spaniard yet to be convinced by Napoli project
Conte’s side have reportedly offered Gutierrez a five-year deal at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, but the player is yet be convinced over the move to Naples.
Napoli view Gutierrez as the perfect left winger to replace Giacomo Raspadori, who has been heavily linked with a summer switch to Atletico Madrid.
Despite domestic success, the Italian outfit struggled to find the perfect left-sided player following the January departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with David Neres, Leandro Spinazzola and Raspadori all occupying the role at one time or another.
Girona struggled in La Liga last season, finishing just one point above the relegation zone in a far cry from their campaign that saw them challenge for the title.
Gutierrez, though, shone regardless, registering five assists to boost his reputation with Napoli now pushing hard to secure his services.
Topics: Antonio Conte, Football, Kevin De Bruyne, Napoli, Serie A, Transfers
Ben McAleer