Napoli are ready to spend big in the closing days of the European transfer window in what could be a real statement of intent for the season ahead. The Serie A title race has the potential to be the closest and most hotly contested for many a year, and again Carlo Ancelotti’s men plan to be in the thick of it.
Juventus have of course dominated in recent history and will be favourites to win a ninth title on the bounce in the forthcoming campaign, but there are one or two questions mark regards the Bianconeri now that Massimiliano Allegri has moved on to be replaced by Maurizio Sarri.
The door could be ajar for someone to nip in and take the Scudetto and Napoli are at the front of an orderly queue that is forming behind the Old Lady.
Inter Milan look as though they could be a real contender now that Antonio Conte is at the helm. They have spent wisely and the addition of striker Romelu Lukaku looks to be a shrewd one.
However, it is Napoli that many believe are the main danger to Juventus and in Ancelotti they could not be in much better hands. He has been there and done it, and could be the man to engineer the downfall of one of his former clubs.
Napoli finished second in Serie A last season, some 13 points behind Juventus but there is a real belief it will be much closer this season.
The next 10 days could be crucial as Ancelotti puts the finishing to his squad and there is the possibility of several big-named arrivals.
First up, Hirving Lozano an exciting attacking midfielder is in Naples as we speak undergoing a medical and putting the finishing touches to a £38million deal from PSV Endhoven.
It will not stop there. They are also pursuing a deal for Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi and have set a deadline for the deal to be done before they move on to other targets. Real Madrid star James Rodriguez is also another option for them.
Probably just as important is the fact that Napoli have managed to keep hold of star central defender Kalidou Koulibaly. It was a huge statement of intent when they turned down big bids from Manchester United to keep hold.
He will be huge for Napoli this season and with a couple more shrewd additions to the ranks, they could be in with a shout of winning their first Scudetto since 1990.
