Beukema could leave Napoli in January after failing to convince

Sam Beukema has joined Lang, Lucca and Neres on the list of players who could leave Napoli in January. The Dutch centre-back could be gone from Castel Volturno (the training ground) as soon as the winter window opens. The reason is simple: the club have not been convinced by his performances, and he is reportedly not central to Allegri's plans. For now, though, there are no concrete offers.

In fairness, he started against Lazio on 8 November in a back three with Rrahmani and Rafa Marín. Allegri had only three recognised defenders available that day.

That is the weak point of selling him now. Buongiorno has had knee surgery on his meniscus and will be back in January. Di Lorenzo has an injury to the adductor longus in his left thigh and returns in mid-December. Badiashile is due back between 24 and 29 November, and Olivera is expected to be available for the Sassuolo match. Nineteen players have had physical problems since the start of the season.

Selling a centre-back halfway through the season, with a defence that has been short of players for weeks, is a bet that the returning players stay fit. So far, they have not.

Sell first, then buy

Financially, the move makes sense. In January Napoli will run a window of swaps funded by sales: to buy, they need at least three significant departures. The Serie A squad list is also full, and a place must be freed to re-register Buongiorno.

Beukema is about to turn 28 and has suitors in the Netherlands, the Premier League and Italy. He could bring in a fee not far from what he cost 18 months ago. There is also a detail that sporting director Giovanni Manna recounted himself: during the international break, while the squad enjoyed the five days off Allegri had given them, the Dutchman kept training.

The awkward question, though, is about who bought him more than about the player. Napoli paid €30m for a defender who, across two seasons and under two coaches, never became a regular starter. That was not Beukema's decision.

Napoli now have a longer list of possible departures than of possible signings. It includes Lang, signed for €25m plus bonuses, Lucca, still without a goal, and now Beukema. The real problem is how this squad was built. Selling him in January may fix the accounts, but it would confirm that the money was badly spent.

There is also a condition for any January signings: Napoli must be within four, or at most five, points of fourth place. As of Saturday 14 November the gap is 9 points, with the team tenth on 15. Selling without being able to buy would be the worst outcome of all.

Next up is Torino at the Maradona on Saturday 21 November, kick-off 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 14:45 ET). Without Di Lorenzo and Buongiorno, Allegri will find it hard to leave him out. If Beukema plays and convinces, his position could change by January. If he stays on the bench, a sale becomes likely.