Napoli are preparing to sell goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic just one year after signing him for €20 million, with incoming manager Massimiliano Allegri handing the starting role to Alex Meret for the upcoming season. The Serie A side have already identified PSV Eindhoven’s Matej Kovar as their preferred replacement, according to reports.
The decision to offload Milinkovic-Savic represents a swift reversal for the club, who invested heavily in the Serbian shot-stopper only last summer. However, Allegri has made clear his preference for Meret between the posts, prompting sporting director Giovanni Manna to search for a new backup option capable of fitting the Italian coach’s tactical demands.
Saudi Arabia beckons for Milinkovic-Savic
Milinkovic-Savic has emerged as a target for clubs in Saudi Arabia, where a family connection could smooth any potential transfer. His older brother Sergej currently plays for Al-Hilal under manager Simone Inzaghi, making a move to the Middle East particularly plausible. The Saudi Pro League has continued to attract established European talent, and the goalkeeper appears set to follow that path despite his brief spell in Naples.
Kovar targeted as replacement
To fill the impending vacancy, Manna has turned his attention to Kovar, the Czech international currently competing at the World Cup. The former Bayer Leverkusen player has long been admired by the Napoli hierarchy and is viewed as a modern, technically proficient goalkeeper suited to Allegri’s requirements.
Kovar’s participation in the tournament may delay negotiations, but Napoli are positioning themselves to move quickly once the Czech Republic’s campaign concludes. The 25-year-old has established himself as a reliable presence in the Netherlands and would arrive with experience of top-tier European football.
Defensive reinforcements
Alongside their goalkeeping plans, Napoli are actively pursuing Lazio defender Mario Gila. The capital club initially demanded €30 million for the Spanish centre-back but have since lowered their asking price to €20 million. Napoli have tabled a bid of €15 million, and with Lazio under pressure to balance their books and achieve net-zero spending in the transfer market, a compromise appears increasingly likely in the coming weeks.
Both deals signal Allegri’s intent to reshape the squad he inherits, with the incoming coach prioritising reliability in goal and defensive solidity as Napoli aim to challenge for domestic and European honours next term.