Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis lashed out at FIFA and UEFA over the number of players picking up injuries on international duty as he called for extra transfer windows and compensation for clubs. The debate of releasing players for international duties has intensified in recent years with many arguing that clubs are being unfairly impacted by the number of games players are being forced to endure.
Manchester United are reportedly keen on returning Scott McTominay to Old Trafford, having accepted that they made a mistake when sanctioning a move to Napoli for the Scotland international midfielder in 2024. A £26 million ($34m) deal took McTominay to Italy, where he has become a Serie A title winner, and it would cost around £44m ($58m) to bring him back.
Napoli are training without Antonio Conte this week after the Italian coach took agreed leave in the aftermath of Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Bologna, a result that deepened concerns around the Serie A champions’ fading form. With pressure intensifying after five losses this season and whispers of resignation spreading online, the break arrives at a complicated moment for a team struggling for goals, rhythm and identity.
Napoli's head of scouting Maurizio Micheli is reportedly in advanced talks to move to Arsenal to take up a new role with the Premier League side. New sporting director Andrea Berta is continuing to make changes behind the scenes in north London and is keen to bring in the man who signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for Napoli. The exciting winger has since been sold to Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth £59 million.
Branislav Jasurek, representative of Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, has clarified the state of the player's relationship with head coach Antonio Conte. Jasurek and Lobotka stole headlines in Italy recently after comments resurfaced of the agent suggesting that his client will leave the club if the coach stays at the helm.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has pledged his support for Antonio Conte as he dismissed suggestions the coach will leave the club amid the team's recent struggles. Conte sparked reports of a possible exit by declaring he's not doing "a good job" after his side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bologna, leaving them fourth in Serie A, but the Napoli chief has suggested he will remain in charge.
Napoli manager Antonio Conte is set for urgent, decisive talks with the club hierarchy in the coming hours to determine his future, following his scathing public criticism of the struggling Serie A champions. The meeting comes after Conte openly questioned his team's "chemistry" and "desire to fight" following their latest defeat, hinting at a potential departure.
GOAL brings you the latest on the British players who are thriving away from home, as several stars choose to make a living in Europe and even beyond. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
The weekend before an international break always feels significant. Pick up a positive result and the only thing a manager really has to worry about is players suffering injury while representing their countries. A defeat, though, results in two torturous weeks as the result is pored over in the press while the coach waits for the opportunity to make amends.
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has issued a damning critique of his side after their latest defeat against Bologna in Serie A, hinting at a potential departure from the club. The Italian coach expressed profound concern over the team's perceived lack of "chemistry" and "desire to fight," openly questioning his effectiveness and the players' commitment.
Scott McTominay has urged Napoli boss Antonio Conte to pursue reported interest in Kobbie Mainoo next month. McTominay is one of a number of former Manchester United outcasts currently shining in Naples, with Rasmus Hojlund and Romelu Lukaku also impressing for the defending Serie A champions. The Scottish midfielder has been instrumental for the Italian side since joining last summer.
West Ham are reportedly ready to offer Kobbie Mainoo an escape route from Manchester United in January, as the England star is desperate to rescue his 2026 World Cup chances. The 20-year-old England international once stormed onto the Premier League stage with poise and maturity. But he now finds himself watching from the sidelines, and could seek an exit in the winter transfer window.
Napoli were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, extending their run without a win in the Champions League. Antonio Conte praised Frankfurt’s “Italian-style catenaccio” approach, while lamenting his side’s missed chances and lingering absences. The result leaves Napoli with four points from four games and work to do to stay in contention.
Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Napoli are monitoring Hellas Verona forward Giovane following his impressive start to life in Serie A. The 21-year-old Brazilian, who joined on a free transfer last summer, has quickly become one of the league’s most exciting young attackers and Verona could now demand up to €30 million for his signature.
Napoli star Kevin De Bruyne says the surgery on his thigh went "perfectly," but admitted he will be out for a lengthy spell. The 34-year-old sustained the injury while scoring a penalty against Inter Milan late last month and went under the knife shortly after. The Belgian playmaker is staying positive but it may be quite some time before he is back playing for the Italian champions.
Napoli are reportedly plotting another transfer raid on Manchester, with United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo registering on their recruitment radar once more. The reigning Serie A champions were able to acquire Kevin De Bruyne over the summer, after seeing him leave City as a free agent, but the Belgian midfielder is currently ruled out with a thigh injury.
New Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti was subject to hateful banners and social media posts from Napoli supporters, who labelled the former coach as a "disgraceful man" and "a traitor." The reaction from the Partenopei fans comes after Spalletti joined their Serie A rivals in a deal until the end of the season, although the ex-Italy boss clarified that Naples will always be in his heart.
Former Manchester United team-mates Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay showed how well they are getting on away from Old Trafford at Napoli as they attended a Halloween party together. The pair were reunited when the Serie A champions signed Hojlund on loan in the summer. And McTominay poked fun at the striker's choice of white socks during their night out.
Romelu Lukaku’s long road to recovery may soon be over. After a brutal thigh injury sidelined him for over two months, the Belgian striker is now returning to Italy to undergo final medical assessments. Coach Antonio Conte and Napoli’s staff are hopeful of a December return, as the club looks to reignite their attack and reshape their Champions League ambitions.
Italian refereeing chief Gianluca Rocchi has defended his decision to suspend Maurizio Mariani and Daniele Bindoni following the chaotic clash between Napoli and Inter that saw a controversial penalty reshape the game. Rocchi was left angry at the mistakes made by the referee and his assistant, branding the episode a procedural failure.
Scotland international Scott McTominay has moved to quell talk of him moving away from Napoli and returning to the Premier League or making a remarkable switch to Catalan giants Barcelona. McTominay has impressed in Naples since joining from Manchester United for £30 million ($39.6m) last summer, landing the Serie A title in his first season and becoming a cult hero.
Kevin De Bruyne has undergone successful surgery in Antwerp after suffering a serious hamstring injury during Napoli’s clash against Inter last weekend. The Belgian midfielder, who was forced off just moments after scoring, is now expected to be sidelined for around four months, ruling him out for the rest of 2025 and leaving Napoli short in midfield depth.
Scott McTominay might be in line for a reunion with Marcus Rashford, as Barcelona have reportedly placed the former Manchester United star on a three-man transfer shortlist. The Scotsman has emerged as one of Europe’s most in-demand midfielders since leaving Old Trafford to take on a new challenge at Napoli in 2024, with top clubs now lining up for his signature.
Antonio Conte was left fuming after Napoli’s 1-0 win over Lecce, hitting back at 'absurd' claims that Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term injury could somehow help his team. The Italian coach was frustrated by recent talk in the media, saying he has had enough of theories about injuries to veteran players like De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Nicklas Bendtner has backed Rasmus Hojlund to thrive under Antonio Conte at Napoli, praising the Italian’s "killer mentality and relentless desire to win". The former Juventus forward believes Conte can unlock his compatriot’s full potential as the young striker rebuilds confidence following a mixed spell at Manchester United.
Juventus are in advanced talks with ex-Italy and Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti to replace Igor Tudor, who was sacked after a dismal run of results. The Bianconeri view Spalletti as the ideal figure to lead their rebuild, with negotiations already underway following the club’s decision to appoint Massimo Brambilla as interim boss.