Napoli Set Sights on Udinese Center-Back to Strengthen Backline | OneFootball

Serie A title hopefuls Napoli have reportedly identified Udinese center-back Oumas Solet as a concrete defensive target for the summer. According to Calciomercato, the 25-year-old has emerged as a viable alternative for Fiorentina’s Pietro Comuzzo.

Napoli came close to signing the highly-rated Italian defender in the January transfer window. However, the deal collapsed at the 11th hour as Fiorentina rebuffed Napoli’s final offer despite showing preparedness to let the young gun switch to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Despite adding Alessandro Buongiorno to the squad last summer, Napoli boss Antonio Conte remains in the market for defensive reinforcements. Comuzzo is still on his list. But Juventus are also in the race, forcing the Partenopei to consider other options.

Therefore, Napoli have set their sights on Solet. The Frenchman joined Udinese on a Bosman deal in October after terminating his contract at RB Salzburg last summer. Though the Austrian giants paid Lyon €4.5 million to sign him in 2020, they released him on a free transfer.

The Friulians were glad to sign Solet without spending a dime amid talks Jaka Bijol could move to Inter. Solet has only made five appearances in Serie A this season, but that’s seemingly been enough to earn Conte’s admiration.

But Napoli can’t expect to sign Solet on favorable terms. The French defender penned a contract at the Bluenergy Stadium until 2027. As such, Udinese will demand up to €15m to sanction his departure at the end of the season.