Napoli forced to release official statement over Italian newspaper's claims that they are signing player

Napoli have taken the unprecedented step of releasing an official club statement to deny reports that they are signing a new player.

Throughout each transfer window, top clubs will been linked with tens, if not hundreds, of players as agents try to drum up interest or various options for each position are considered.

Of course, not all of those players will sign for a club - and you might occasionally have a manager publicly state that they aren't interested in signing a particular player.

For a club to themselves deny it publicly is almost unheard of - but that is exactly what Napoli have done over links to an alleged transfer target.

The 2022/23 Serie A champions have already completed the signings of two centre-backs this summer, bringing in Italy international Alessandro Buongiorno from Torino and Spain youth international Rafa Marin from Real Madrid.

Italian outlet Tuttosport claimed they were closing in on a deal for free agent Mario Hermoso, who left Atletico Madrid in the summer.

He made over 170 appearances in all competitions over five seasons with Atletico, and would have added further experience to Napoli's backline as they look to bounce back from a disappointing title defence last term.

But the club have confirmed they aren't signing him in a Twitter statement.

They wrote to their 2.1 million followers: "Tuttosport continues to talk about Hermoso at Napoli.

"The defensive line was completed with the arrivals of Marin and Buongiorno. Although Hermoso is good, he is not part of Napoli's objectives."

Twitter

Napoli are currently managed by the former Chelsea, Tottenham and Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte, who has won four Scudettos across spells with Juventus and Inter.

He has already brought in trophy-winning experience in Leonardo Spinazzola, who was part of Italy's Euro 2020-winning squad but suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during their last 16 match.

Conte is reportedly close to sealing a reunion with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, whom he worked under at Inter, while the club have seen an £8 million bid for Brighton midfielder Billy Gilmour rejected, as per the Daily Mail.