Napoli director of sport Giovanni Manna has outlined the club’s plans for the January transfer window and addressed current squad issues in an interview with Radio Kiss Kiss, with the team struggling in both Serie A and the Champions League.
Current situation and January preparations
Giovanni Manna is Napoli’s director of sport, and he confirmed that the club is already working towards the January window. Manna said: "We have clear ideas on how to improve, correct and complete the squad, and we will ensure that we are ready in January."
Napoli are struggling badly both in Serie A and the Champions League, and Manna acknowledged the difficult start. He said: "We are well aware of the situation, and we are not happy with how the season has started. Aside from injuries, if we did something wrong or made incorrect evaluations, we are here to work and fix it."
Manna also stressed the need for a different mental approach. He said: "It’s important to find a sense of calm and not try to experience every game as if it’s the last, as that doesn’t help."
Reflection on spending and financial strategy
Manna reflected on Napoli’s transfer spending last season and said the money might not have been spent wisely. He said: "Last season we spent a lot, but perhaps we didn’t spend our money wisely, and I say that being fully aware of the criticism I deserve for that."
He also discussed the investment policy he shares with president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Manna said: "The President and I never held back when it came to investments, but we did have to respect certain financial parameters, so over the summer opted for more of an austerity approach."
Manna explained that Napoli were not blocked from operating in the market, but were affected by specific situations. He said: "Nobody banned us from making moves, but some situations were stalled and that blocked others in the transfer market. We’ll be ready in January."
Squad reaction and injuries
Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Lazio came before the break for international duty, and Manna took some encouragement from that match. He said: "I saw an encouraging reaction in the second half, showing the kind of energy required to get out of the current situation, so we are hopeful things will be better once we get a few players recovered from injury."
Manna indicated that Napoli are hopeful of improvement once injured players return.
Cacciamani and Varela transfer links
There have been reports that Napoli are pursuing Torino winger Alessio Cacciamani, who had already been targeted by Roma over the summer. Speaking about Cacciamani, Manna said: "He is certainly an interesting prospect who impressed at Juve Stabia and is showing his potential, but that’s a long way from saying he’ll come to Napoli."
He added: "There are many players we are keeping an eye on, and he is one of the most interesting young Italian players right now."
Monza centre-forward Gustavo Varela has also been mentioned with regards to a potential January swoop from Napoli. On Varela, Manna said: "He is a good player, but right now we have Lucca, who is young and can cover that role. Then we’ll see, based on who leaves, what will happen."
Football Italia reports that it is very likely that several Napoli players will be moved on, above all Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang, who have failed to live up to expectations following big money moves. Addressing Varela’s situation further, Manna said: "He is certainly doing well, but I doubt Monza will want to sell a player like that in January, seeing as they are fighting for their Serie A safety."
Manna made clear that Napoli have not yet taken concrete steps for Varela. He said: "Napoli have not made any steps for Varela so far, we’ve done nothing."
