Ardian Ismajli has become a hot topic in the transfer market, with his name linked to several top Italian clubs including Inter, Napoli, and Juventus in recent weeks. As the Empoli defender’s contract nears its expiration in June, speculation about his future has intensified.
In an exclusive interview with [**Tribuna**](https://tribuna.com/it/news/2024-12-10-esclusiva-il-napoli-ma-non-solo-lintermediario-di-ismajli-serxhio-mezi-fa-chiarezza-sulli/), Serxhio Mezi, Ismajli’s intermediary, shed light on the player’s situation and the interest from various clubs.
Mezi revealed that discussions with Napoli have been ongoing for a year. “I’ve been talking with Napoli for a year now. Last year, the player could have arrived in January. I even discussed this with Director Meluso and worked on this transfer together with Ciro Palermo,” he stated.
Regarding the potential move to Napoli, Mezi added, “I’m not sure if the deal will go through, but De Laurentiis is also friends with Corsi, and this could help in negotiations between the two clubs.”
Addressing rumors about Juventus, Mezi was clear: “Ardian has been linked to Juventus, but there’s nothing to it! Thiago Motta didn’t want him when he was coaching Bologna, so I doubt the Bianconeri, even though they’re looking for a defender, would go for him.”
When asked about Inter’s interest, Mezi questioned the logic of such a move. “Do you think a Serie A club would spend 2, 3, or 4 million euros on a 29-year-old player they could get for free in June? Napoli is a different story,” he explained.
Interestingly, Mezi also disclosed that Ismajli was offered to Roma under Daniele De Rossi’s management, but they declined, not considering him ready for that level.
The agent emphasized that Ismajli’s appeal extends beyond Italy. “Ismajli isn’t just popular in Italy. He’s very much liked in Turkey, and we don’t rule out Arabia, even for January,” Mezi stated. He added, “Today, a player at that age might prefer a move to Turkey or Arabia to earn a bit more.”