'We need reinforcements' - Antonio Conte explains why players 'don't want' to join Napoli as Serie A side struggle to sign Romelu Lukaku

Former Chelsea boss Conte has sent a message to Napoli's owners about strengthening their squad after their penalty shootout win in the first round of the Coppa Italia against Serie B team Modena. While he accepts the limitations of the club's finances, and the fact that they aren't competing in European tournaments this season makes it harder to sign players, the Italian suggested things won't improve without more investment.

He told reporters that Napoli need more "reinforcements", adding: "I put myself at the club's complete disposal, I knew the situation I found and on the market you have limits in terms of the cost of the player or the salary. Many players don't come here because we don't play in the [European] cups. I want the best for Napoli and to try to strengthen the squad because we need it. Then I don't know what will happen, today was a nice dose of reality."

Napoli had a dire defence of their Serie A title last season, with the Blues finishing 10th in the table. This summer they have signed Alessandro Buongiorno, Rafa Marin, Leonardo Spinazzola and Matija Popovic but are making more headlines for trying and failing to sell Victor Osimhen and buy Romelu Lukaku, despite reportedly making a verbal agreement with the Chelsea forward.

Conte's Napoli side are next in action next Sunday evening away to Verona as Serie A returns. After that, they round off August with home league games against Bologna and Parma. It remains to be seen if they will strengthen the squad by then.