​Napoli are shifting their focus to different targets after missing out on Mario Gila and losing their pole position for Anan Khalaili, and they are weighing Federico Gatti and Dodo as potential solutions for those respective roles. According to Mediaset via Calciomercato, Massimiliano Allegri would love to see an Italian center-back reunion, a player who hasn’t featured much under Luciano Spalletti. In fact, the player registered 63 appearances and scored 6 goals across two seasons with the current Azzurri boss on the bench. Juventus value him at around €25 million. There have been discussions about a potential swap involving Stanislav Lobotka, but Napoli’s management and the coach remain reluctant to part with their midfield maestro.
Napoli may choose to slow-walk the pursuit of Gatti, preferring to secure a right-back—potentially Dodo—or another alternative before considering a sale of fringe players, according to Alfredo Pedullà. Inter have not met Union SG’s asking price for Khalaili yet, though they appear better positioned to come away with the deal. The Fiorentina stalwart is expected to move on due to a short-term contract situation, while Napoli reportedly isn’t pursuing Raoul Bellanova, who could leave Atalanta but has draws from abroad. Nahuel Molina, by contrast, seems to be a less feasible target.
Allegri’s preference for familiarity and proven value makes it unsurprising that Juventus are monitoring these names. However, there remains uncertainty about why Juve would pursue a center-back—especially a relatively expensive one—if they intend to deploy a four-man backline and already have Sam Beukema potentially staying in the squad. The Viola ace appears to be a fallback option for several clubs, all waiting for a chance to snap up a bargain. As Napoli navigates the market, they are weighing the balance between strengthening at center-back and reinforcing the right-back position, while keeping an eye on cost-efficiency and long-term squad planning. This strategic approach reflects a broader trend in Italian football where top clubs are balancing immediate needs with market opportunities, weighing veteran familiarity against emerging talents, and negotiating player swaps, loans, and transfer fees to optimize their rosters for the upcoming season.