SSC Napoli could make a move for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Napoli have been weakened by the departure of Marek Hamsik, who joined Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang earlier this year and it is believed Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has been eyed as an ideal target as they look to bulk up their midfield options next season, as reported by Sport.
The report claims that Napoli’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti holds the Uruguayan international in high regard and will be delighted to have him at his disposal next campaign. The club’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli also believes it will be a logical choice to sign Valverde, who could cost Napoli around €18 million when the transfer window reopens in July.
A product of the Real Madrid youth academy, Valverde was promoted to the senior side at the start of this season. And although the 20-year-old struggled to make an impression under Julen Lopetegui, he had been quite a useful component to the squad under Santiago Solari, notably making nine league appearances.
However, with the arrival of Zinedine Zidane, it is unlikely that the youngster will be included in Real Madrid’s plans for next season, especially with the Frenchman plotting to sign a new midfielder in the summer. Manchester United star Paul Pogba, for one, has been eyed as a potential candidate.
As a result, a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu could indeed prove to be a logical decision for Valverde, who might turn out to be an excellent acquisition for a club like Napoli.
As iterated earlier, the Serie A outfit will be actively looking for midfield reinforcements in the summer, following the departures of players like Jorginho and Hamsik. Valverde, in that regard, could fit in rather well in Ancelotti’s preferred 4-4-2 formation, where the Uruguayan can be accommodated as a supporting midfielder for either Allan or Fabian Ruiz.
However, it’s also unlikely that he will be the first-choice midfielder at Napoli unless Ancelotti reverts back to his customary 4-2-3-1 shape, where Valverde can be utilized in the double-pivot with Ruiz deployed in a slightly advanced role.
Having said that, the 20-year-old will still at least have the prospect of emerging as a first-choice midfielder for Napoli, especially if Allan or Ruiz leave the club in the future, thus making the Partenopei an ideal suitor for the Real Madrid star.
