The Manchester United winger was targeted by Napoli but ultimately remained at his club, just like Allan Saint-Maximin and Karim Adeyemi.
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Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna provided insight into the club's winter transfer window on Wednesday, addressing both their successful and unsuccessful moves in the market.
The reigning Serie A champions made headlines with the sale of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain for €70 million, a transfer that left a major void in their attack. However, despite their best efforts, Napoli was unable to secure their top choices as a replacement for the Georgian winger, encountering obstacles in their pursuit of several high-profile targets.
Speaking to the Italian press, Manna confirmed that after Kvaratskhelia’s departure, Napoli launched bids to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United, Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, and Allan Saint-Maximin from Fenerbahçe. However, all three players ultimately stayed at their respective clubs, forcing the Italian side to explore alternative solutions in the final days of the window.
"I can confirm that we had a preliminary agreement with Dortmund for Adeyemi," Manna revealed, shedding light on what seemed to be Napoli's closest deal. "We also met with him in Germany, but the deal collapsed because he didn’t want to join us. I read today that he has already agreed to join another club in July… good for him." These comments come amid growing speculation that Adeyemi has already lined up a summer move, with Chelsea and Liverpool rumored to be among the clubs vying for his signature.
Napoli's interest in Garnacho was another major storyline in the transfer window, as the 20-year-old Argentine winger has been one of Manchester United’s most promising talents. However, negotiations proved difficult, as Manna explained that Garnacho’s personal demands made the transfer unfeasible. "We made an important offer to Manchester United for Garnacho," he said. "We really wanted him, but we were unable to agree on personal terms with Alejandro. He made a significant salary request to leave in January, and we must respect our players." The director’s comments suggest that Garnacho’s wage demands exceeded Napoli’s internal structure, making the deal unrealistic despite their strong interest.
Saint-Maximin was another option Napoli pursued in their search for an attacking reinforcement. The French winger, who is currently on loan from Saudi club Al Ahli to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, was seen as a potential fit for the team. However, Manna admitted that negotiations hit complications due to financial constraints. "We tried to sign him, but there were problems. We couldn’t meet the demands made by both Al Ahli and Fenerbahçe," he revealed, suggesting that the financial expectations from both clubs made the deal too costly for Napoli to proceed.
With all three of their primary targets slipping through their fingers, Napoli was forced to rethink their strategy in the final days of the transfer window. In the end, they turned to AC Milan and secured the loan signing of Swiss winger Noah Okafor, a versatile forward who had been struggling for regular playing time at San Siro. The deal, completed on deadline day, includes a €25 million purchase option, giving Napoli flexibility to assess his performance before making a long-term commitment.
Okafor’s arrival represents a different type of signing compared to their initial targets. While Garnacho, Adeyemi, and Saint-Maximin are known for their flair, dribbling, and explosiveness on the wings, Okafor offers a more dynamic attacking presence, capable of playing centrally as well as on the flanks. His speed and ability to make runs in behind defenses could prove useful for Napoli, especially as they look to maintain their offensive firepower following Kvaratskhelia’s departure.
Napoli's inability to land their top targets raises questions about the club’s approach to the transfer market and whether they will revisit some of these names in the summer. With major fixtures ahead, including their fight for the Serie A title and a deep run in European competitions, the club will be hoping that Okafor can make an impact and help fill the gap left by Kvaratskhelia. Meanwhile, their failed pursuits highlight the increasing challenges of competing for top talents in a market where player valuations and salary demands continue to rise.
Manna’s candid reflections on the transfer window also offer a glimpse into the club’s strategic direction. Napoli remains ambitious, but they are also committed to financial discipline, unwilling to break their wage structure to sign players, even if they are highly desirable targets. This approach will likely shape their future transfer dealings, as they aim to balance competitiveness with sustainability.
As the season progresses, Napoli will be closely monitoring Okafor’s adaptation to the squad while keeping an eye on potential summer reinforcements. Whether Garnacho, Adeyemi, or Saint-Maximin reemerges as a target remains to be seen, but for now, Napoli must move forward with the squad they have, hoping that their late-market moves will be enough to keep them in contention for silverware.
Updated: 03:30, 5 Feb 2025
