Napoli, the reigning Serie A champions, are gearing up for a high-stakes transfer battle as manager Antonio Conte sets his sights on Manchester City’s out-of-favor winger Jack Grealish. The 29-year-old England international, whose £100 million move to City from Aston Villa in 2021 made him the most expensive English player ever, has emerged as Conte’s top priority this summer. With Napoli aiming to defend their title and make a mark in the Champions League, Conte sees Grealish as the key to injecting flair and experience into his squad. “It would be a no-brainer,” Conte reportedly told his staff, echoing the sentiments of Napoli’s new star Kevin De Bruyne, who urged the club to reunite him with his former City teammate, saying, “Jack’s an exceptional player.” The pursuit, however, is fraught with challenges, from Grealish’s hefty £300,000-a-week salary to competition from Everton, Newcastle, and even a potential Aston Villa homecoming.
Grealish’s 2024/25 season at Manchester City was one to forget. Limited to just seven Premier League starts and excluded from the Club World Cup squad, he managed only three goals and five assists across all competitions. Pep Guardiola, candid about Grealish’s struggles, admitted, “The only reason he didn’t play last season is of course my decisions. We decide that he has to play.” The Spaniard emphasized the need for Grealish to rediscover the spark that defined his treble-winning 2022/23 campaign with City and his stellar Aston Villa tenure. “Jack is an exceptional player,” Guardiola added, hinting at a mutual agreement for Grealish to seek regular minutes elsewhere. With two years left on his contract, City are open to a £45 million permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy, though they may need to subsidize up to half his wages to facilitate a move.
Napoli’s interest intensified after their failed bid for Bologna’s Dan Ndoye, who joined Nottingham Forest. Conte, who masterminded Napoli’s second Serie A title in three years, views Grealish as a perfect fit for his dynamic 4-3-3 system, especially after selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain for £80 million in January. De Bruyne, who signed with Napoli on a free transfer in June 2025, has been a vocal advocate, reportedly giving Grealish a “glowing reference” and praising his ability to “bring new energy” to the squad. The Belgian’s influence, combined with Conte’s track record of reviving careers—most notably Scott McTominay, who transformed from Manchester United reject to Serie A MVP—has fueled optimism in Naples. “He never had a primary role at United, but here we gave him one,” Conte said of McTominay, signaling his intent to do the same for Grealish.
The financial hurdles are significant. Napoli’s budget, bolstered by Kvaratskhelia’s sale, allows for a £45 million bid, but Grealish would need to accept a salary cut to around £150,000 a week. His willingness to do so may hinge on his ambition to reclaim a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad under Thomas Tuchel, who stressed the need for Grealish to play regularly at a Champions League club. Napoli’s qualification for next summer’s competition makes them an attractive destination, though Everton’s loan interest and Villa’s sentimental pull—where Grealish trained on the Amalfi Coast in July 2025—complicate matters. “I can’t tell you where he’s training, but maybe he has some contact with Napoli,” a local driver cryptically told reporters after picking Grealish up from the airport.
Conte’s vision for Napoli is clear: a blend of grit, flair, and star power. Grealish, alongside De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, could form a formidable attacking unit, but the transfer’s success depends on negotiations with City and Grealish’s commitment to a fresh start. As the transfer window nears its close, Napoli’s pursuit of the mercurial winger has captivated fans, promising a potential reunion that could redefine their title defense and Grealish’s career trajectory in the sun-soaked streets of Naples.
Leave a Reply