Anguissa could agree a move in January as Napoli look at Bakola
The Cameroonian midfielder's contract runs out in 2027 and there is little room for a renewal. Giovanni Manna is already looking at Sassuolo's Darryl Bakola, born in 2007, as a possible replacement.
Anguissa is expected to leave Napoli at the end of the season. What is new is the timing: he could agree terms with another club as early as January.
His contract runs out on 30 June 2027, and there is said to be little room for a renewal. The number 99 started on Sunday 8 November against Lazio, in the crowded midfield Allegri picked for that game. These are probably his last months at the club, and his next club may have a say in how many of them he plays.
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Giovanni Manna is already working on a replacement. The name being mentioned is Darryl Bakola, born in 2007 and now at Sassuolo. He has made nine appearances this season with two assists, and his market value is put at €15m. We had already written that Anguissa's future could be decided in January. The difference now is that there is a specific name lined up behind his exit.
The list keeps growing
Bakola joins a list that has grown quickly over the past few days. To rebuild the midfield, the sporting director had first pointed to Coulibaly and Camara of Monaco, and Monaco want €50m for Coulibaly. Then came Zorgane of Union Saint-Gilloise, valued at about €15m. Now a Sassuolo teenager valued at the same figure.
The four players could hardly be more different in age, experience and price. Either this is a very wide search, or there is still no clear idea of what the team needs.
The problem goes beyond Anguissa. De Bruyne and Meret also have contracts ending in June 2027, and the club wants to keep De Bruyne at least until the end of the season. Lobotka is out with a left ankle problem and will miss about six weeks.
Napoli are tenth on 15 points, the lowest total of the De Laurentiis era after 11 matches. Half of their midfield is either injured or close to the end of a contract. Whoever built this squad in the summer has to answer for that too. Three key players out of contract in the same June is not something that only came to light in November.
The wrong priority for now
So the question is a simple one. Is it right to plan for life after Anguissa with a teenager who has nine Serie A appearances, when the team are 9 points off fourth place, Allegri's stated target, and 14 behind Lazio?
Planning ahead is part of the club's job, and nobody disputes that. But right now the fanbase wants signings who make a difference straight away, in January. The 25-man squad list is also full, so someone will have to leave before anyone can come in. An early exit for Anguissa would free up a place, but it would also take a starter away from a team that has gone three games without a win.
The fixture list adds a twist. On Sunday 29 November Napoli play Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium, with Sassuolo changing coach after sacking Aquilani. Before that, Napoli host Torino at the Maradona on Saturday 21 November at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 14:45 ET). Straight after comes the trip to Manchester to face City.
The window reopens on 2 January. Until then Anguissa is still one of ours, and the midfield Napoli have will have to do.
Source: Spazio Napoli
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