Napoli begrudgingly sold Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain in the last January window.
After a deal fell through in the summer, the Ligue 1 champions finally secured their priority target. But for the Serie A club, a replacement is still needed.
Described as a ‘wound’ still left in Antonio Conte’s starting XI by SpazioNapoli, it’s been reported that Aston Villa man
Samuel Iling-Junior is now being targeted as the replacement for the Georgia international, who is excelling in France.
It’s thought that Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna is an admirer of the former Juventus winger given his versatility.
Journalist Emanuele Cammaroto said to Radio Punto Nuovo, in words picked up by SN. “A name that Manna likes is that of Iling-Junior that Manna launched to Juventus. He is a player that is liked, he can play on the right and left flank, it is easy to understand Conte’s approval”,
David Neres has filled in the gaps for Conte, but it’s believed that he lacks the physicality to be defensively sound.
Junior was bought by Villa for €14 million from Juventus only last summer. He was shipped out on loan to Bologna, before Villa opted to cut the deal short and send him to Middlesbrough on loan instead.
The 21-year-old is set to return to Villa Park at the end of the season, when his loan with the Championship outfit expires.
