Victor Osimhen: Napoli owner reveals his preferred strike partner for Super Eagles star

The Neapolitans have watched the exit of several key players this summer and are looking to bring in quality stars to replace them

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has confessed that the Neapolitans are working on signing Hellas Verona striker Giovanni Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.

De Laurentiis admits that Simeone has similar characteristics to leading striker Victor Osimhen but hopes the two forwards can find their place in head coach Luciano Spalletti’s tactical setup.

The Italian boss, however, warns Osimhen and co to be prepared for substitute roles as Spalletti tries to get the best out of the players at his disposal.

“Simeone? I really like him,” the billionaire businessman told Radio Kiss Kiss, as per Tutto Napoli.

“We have to see what Spalletti thinks because he is a very good striker; perhaps he complements Osimhen less than Petagna because perhaps he is more similar to Osimhen. We don’t have to play 4-4-2 with two strikers.

“The players must not be offended if they are substituted at some point. A game lasts 90 minutes; if we have brought the five changes to the table, it is because these five changes must be used correctly.

“If someone is substituted in the second half, he must not feel handicapped. The coach must know how to harmonize, manage and optimize all the players against a specific opponent.”

The departures and likely arrivals at Naples

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is constantly in the news as a subject of interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Despite interest from England and Germany, it appears the 23-year-old will remain in Naples for at least one more season.

A few players have, however, said their goodbyes to Napoli. Former captain Lorenzo Insigne is now at Toronto FC, while Senegal’s defensive kingpin Kalidou Koulibaly has switched to Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Napoli, on Sunday morning (July 24), announced the departure of Belgian forward Dries Mertens. Goalkeeper David Ospina has also moved to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr.

Meanwhile, Il Partenopei have brought in fine replacements, with left-back Mathías Olivera and centre-back Leo Ostigard arriving from Getafe and Brighton, respectively.

Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains the only attacking addition, though.

Verona’s Simeone and Udinese’s Gerard Deulofeu, however, are on Napoli’s radar.