Why Napoli want both Samardzic and Tottenham midfielder in January

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Dec 28, 2023 5:57 AM ET

Napoli are preparing for a midfielder reshuffle with Lazar Samardzic and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg emerging as their top targets for January.

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has recently confirmed that he will sign at least one new central midfielder in the winter transfer window.

The defending Serie A champions have just sold Eljif Elmas to RB Leipzig for €20m plus €5m add-ons and presented a verbal offer for Udinese’s Samardzic to replace the North Macedonia international.

Il Corriere dello Sport claims Samardzic is not only the designated replacement for Elmas but will likely earn a starting spot next season as Piotr Zielinski is unlikely to pen a new deal at the Stadio Maradona, leaving the Partenopei at the end of his contract in June 2024.

#Napoli, Samardzic si avvicina: ecco la strategia di De Laurentiishttps://t.co/LomKJlO6rH
— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) December 28, 2023

At the same time, however, Samardzic is not Napoli’s only target to boost Walter Mazzarri’s option next month.

The Partenopei have set their sights on Tottenham midfielder Højbjerg, who is a more defensive option than Samardzic but would help Mazzari cope with the absence of André Zambo Anguissa in January and other possible departures.

Anguissa will play in the AFCON with his national team Cameroon, while Diego Demme and Gianluca Gaetano are expected to leave on loan.

Napoli want to sign Samardzic on a permanent transfer and Højbjerg on loan with an option to buy a formula that, according to Thursday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (page 9), doesn’t suit Spurs much.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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