Napoli really want Matteo Darmian, but the question Gazzetta dello Sport seem to be asking on Friday is how badly does Matteo Darmian want Napoli?
The Manchester United defender has made it very clear that he would love to return to Italy, even if it seemed Juventus and Inter were his two preferred destinations, but with both of those now long forgotten dreams, he doesn’t have many other options.
Carlo Ancelotti wants a reunion with the player he gave his debut to back when he was still a Milan youth product, but the cost of the operation remains an issue.
Aurelio de Laurentiis would rather not spend €20m on a new full-back, since the club already has starters on both sides, yet he would be prepared to make a ‘sacrifice’ for the Italy international if he had to.
The real obstacle here is Darmian’s wages, described as those of a ‘top player’ at Napoli, meaning he would have to lower his demands should he move to the south of Italy.
Transferring him would still come via the loan with an obligation to buy route, but there’s yet to be a signal from Old Trafford such a formula would be accepted, especially with José Mourinho constantly moaning about his lack of players during preseason.
If Manchester United get the money they wish, they’ll most likely sell, but first, Darmian has to show how much he wants his return to Italy.
Over in Naples, Il Mattino appear to have a different version of the story, claiming that Mourinho has ‘endorsed’ the sale of the full-back.
However, nothing has happened yet due to Manchester United wanting a direct transfer and not a loan.
At the end of the day, if Aurelio de Laurentiis decides he wants to offer Darmian as a present to Ancelotti, he’ll find the money somewhere, whether it be down the back of a sofa or in his back pocket.
The final issue will always be the full-back’s desire.
