Napoli could have €50m to spend in January, says finance expert

Fabrizio Vettosi says a falling wage bill and a strong Champions League run could hand Giovanni Manna one or two January signings, with the transfer window open from 2 January to 2 February 2027.

by Rosaria CimminoThursday 1 October, 20:30 CET· 3 hours ago

Il Napoli può spendere fino a 50 milioni a gennaio: Manna punta su un giovane di prospettiva — Grafica Arena Napoli

While Napoli prepare for Frosinone, attention has also turned to January, when the transfer window opens on 2 January and closes on 2 February 2027. Fabrizio Vettosi, who studies the finances of Aurelio De Laurentiis's club, estimated on "Forza Napoli Sempre" that Napoli could have a budget of up to €50m to strengthen the squad in the winter session.

The starting point, according to Vettosi, is already in place: a falling wage bill has freed up around €20m through lower staff costs and salaries. That target has been met, but on its own it is not enough.

Napoli's plan always has to go through the Champions League.

Vettosi explained that the club operates within a rigid cost structure built around five-year contracts, which makes European qualification an economic necessity rather than an option.

The rest of the sum depends on how the Champions League goes. Napoli are currently 25th in the UEFA ranking after a 0-1 home defeat to Arsenal on 9 September. If they get through the league phase and reach the playoffs, Champions League income would rise from a €40-45m bracket to more than €60m. Combined with the margin already freed up on wages, Vettosi said that could translate into "a couple of signings, two young players with huge potential."

A plan built around youth

The type of player Napoli are looking for is clear: investing again in lowering the squad's average age, which has been a limitation in recent seasons. Vettosi pointed to Marc Guiu of Chelsea, a target who slipped away in the summer, and the model of Højlund - an expensive signing, but one on a player with many years still ahead of him to grow in value.

Renewals and exits still unresolved

The issue connects with developments on contract renewals and departures. Extensions are stalled for at least three players - Anguissa, Lobotka and McTominay - while up front the Lucca situation remains open. Napoli have already warned him, through his agent Beppe Riso, that he needs to fight for a starting shirt in the coming weeks.

The real countdown, though, is being set on the pitch: Frosinone at the Maradona on Saturday 10 October, then Villarreal in the Champions League on the 13th, with Napoli's European campaign expected to provide the answers that will decide how much sporting director Giovanni Manna can really spend when the January window opens.