Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has turned his attention to his former club Juventus in a bid to strengthen the Partenopei’s defense this summer. The target in question is Federico Gatti, the 26-year-old center-back whom Manna was instrumental in bringing to Turin from Frosinone during his tenure with the Bianconeri. Now, Manna is keen on reuniting with Gatti in Naples.
While currently just an idea, as reported by Sky Sport, it remains to be seen whether this interest will develop into a concrete objective in the coming months. Manna was recently spotted in Milan for pre-scheduled meetings, and speculation suggests he may have met with Gatti’s representatives to explore the possibility of opening negotiations.
The intrigue surrounding Gatti’s potential move is heightened by the curious case of his contract situation at Juventus. Having arrived at the club in the summer of 2022, Gatti signed his first renewal with the Bianconeri just over a year later, extending his contract until June 2028. This new deal saw his fixed salary rise to €1.5 million, with bonuses potentially pushing it over €2 million.
Juventus had plans for a further extension, aiming to push Gatti’s contract to June 2029 with an improved salary package. While discussions progressed and a draft agreement was reached, the final signature has yet to materialize. The club has decided to put all potential renewals and future-related decisions on hold, pending the outcome of their season. The qualification for next season’s Champions League could significantly impact their market strategies.
Napoli is closely monitoring this situation with keen interest. Gatti’s name features prominently on Manna’s wishlist, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is prepared to make another substantial investment in an Italian defender, following the €40 million acquisition of Alessandro Buongiorno from Torino last summer.
In parallel moves to bolster their defense, Napoli has already secured a verbal agreement for Luca Marianucci, a promising 20-year-old defender from Empoli. A five-year contract is ready for Marianucci, who is expected to fill the void left by Juan Jesus, whose contract is expiring and is likely to depart.
