Napoli also tried to sign Dybala before his Roma renewal

The Argentine turned down an approach from the club over the summer, just as he had already rejected Juventus.

by Rosaria CimminoFriday 2 October, 20:41 CET· 2 hours ago

Dybala con la maglia del Roma — Foto: corrieredellosport.it

Napoli made an approach for Paulo Dybala during the stand-off that preceded his contract renewal with Roma. It was a sounding-out, contact with his entourage, and the answer came back quickly: a firm no, thanks.

Napoli were not the only club to try. Before their approach, there had been talk of a return to Juventus, who contacted Dybala's agent to see whether there was any room to negotiate. That answer was negative too. Dybala wanted only Roma, the shirt he has worn since 2022, in the city that has made him its most recognisable player.

A costly summer in the market

The interest in Dybala came during a transfer window that left Napoli with a net spend of around €47.5m. Napoli turned down an offer involving Icardi, pursued Vlahović before ruling him out on cost, and went for Gabriel Jesus, who signed for Barcelona instead. The club turned to Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese. Head coach Allegri had wanted to strengthen the attack further, before the club's decision to sell off surplus players changed those plans.

In the end, neither Lucca nor Lang left, and it was the sale of Miguel Gutiérrez to Bayer Leverkusen that balanced the books.

Lucca's ultimatum

On the pitch, that decision is costing Napoli. Lucca has scored just two goals since joining the club, none of them this season. Napoli, through his agent Beppe Riso, sent him a direct message, naming October as the month for him to prove he deserves the shirt.

This can't go on like this

If he fails to do so, a January loan would be back on the table, this time in Serie A.

A player like Dybala would have answered a real need for an attack that is struggling, with Napoli ninth in the table on 7 points after five games. But these remain soundings, not negotiations: the summer window closed on 1 September, and the next one does not open until 2 January 2027, closing on 2 February. Before that, there is the pitch. Napoli host Frosinone at the Maradona on Saturday 10 October, a chance to reverse what Opta's numbers already call the club's worst start to a season in ten years.