In search of a new number one goalkeeper during the mercato, Napoli failed on the tracks Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain) and Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea).
Napoli is coming out of a turbulent mercato in the goalkeeping position. With the departure of David Ospina at the end of his contract, the Partenopei were looking for a major recruit in this position during the summer. The current 2nd in Serie A first got their hands on Salvatore Sirigu, who arrived free from Genoa to play as a back-up for a starter who was supposed to be Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) or Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain), both targeted.
A problem between Navas and PSG.
For a long time, the Costa Rican, promised to be number two at PSG behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, seemed very close to signing. But the deal finally fell through, regardless of the will of Napoli, as explained by its sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli. “We have an excellent relationship with PSG, who were looking for a player with the qualities of Fabian Ruiz and so we made sure to find an agreement to help each other. The deal was simple, we gave them Fabian and they helped us by giving us Navas”, exposed the transalpine leader for Radio Kiss Kiss.
“We understood only afterwards that Navas was not going to be able to come because of a disagreement with the French club, but we were still good enough to sell Fabian”, he continued. According to L’Equipe, the ex-Merengue wanted PSG to make up part of the salary cut required by his departure to Napoli. A request refused by the club of the capital
Meret, the big winner
A few weeks earlier, the Kepa track had also evaporated, as the Navas file gained thickness. “During the summer, he (Kepa, editor’s note) took stock of his options, which we knew about. They were not satisfactory, neither for him nor for us, so he stayed”, explained Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel on Monday in front of the media. As Navas in Paris, the Spaniard will play as a substitute for Edouard Mendy in London. And Napoli in all this? Well, it is finally Alex Meret who keeps the goal of the Partenopei this season. Tired of his status of number one behind Ospina, the Italian was annoyed by the desire of the leaders to impose a new competitor of size and a departure was considered. But, as the threat has gone, the Transalpine agreed to stay and, with a status of 3rd best defense of Serie A after 5 days (4 goals conceded), we can not say that Napoli can complain about it.
“We have the second and third choice of the Italian team in the position of goalkeeper, so we could not ask for more”, said the Neapolitan coach Luciano Spalletti Saturday on the sidelines of the victory against Lazio Rome (2-1). “Alex knows he is the first choice. Sirigu is perfect for Meret, because he has great experience and is ready to take over if necessary, but he also has that character to make his voice heard and that could be good for Alex too.” A way to see the glass half full.
