A major transfer saga is unfolding in Italian football as Juventus and Napoli edge closer to a sensational player exchange. Nicolò Fagioli, the promising Juventus midfielder, appears set to join Napoli, while Giacomo Raspadori could be moving in the opposite direction to Turin.
According to [**La Gazzetta dello Sport**](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Juventus/25-12-2024/fagioli-a-napoli-raspadori-alla-juve-la-trattativa.shtml?refresh_ce), Nicolò Fagioli’s journey with Juventus seems to be drawing to a close. After rising through the club’s youth ranks and a brief loan spell at Cremonese, the 23-year-old midfielder is on the verge of bidding farewell to the Bianconeri. While Marseille showed strong interest initially, Napoli has emerged as the frontrunner to secure his services in the January transfer window.
A key figure in this potential move is Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s transfer director. Manna, who previously worked at Juventus, shares a strong bond with Fagioli. Their relationship was particularly crucial during one of the most challenging periods in Fagioli’s career, involving a lengthy suspension. This connection could prove instrumental in facilitating the transfer.
The decision to part ways with Fagioli is part of Juventus’ strategy to bolster their finances and fund necessary squad reinforcements. The club is eyeing defensive improvements and possibly attacking options, with Raspadori emerging as a potential target.
Giacomo Raspadori finds himself in a similar position to Fagioli, seeking more playing time to enhance his prospects with the national team. The versatile forward could provide Juventus with options both as a second striker and a central forward, aligning well with Thiago Motta’s tactical preferences.
This potential swap deal could satisfy the needs of both clubs and players. Fagioli would bring quality to Napoli’s midfield, while Raspadori could offer Juventus the attacking versatility they seek. The shared desire for more playing time from both players could smooth negotiations.
The valuations for both players are estimated to be in the range of 20-25 million euros, potentially facilitating a straight swap. However, the clubs might opt to structure these as parallel operations rather than a direct exchange.
While not directly involved in the current negotiations, Danilo’s future at Juventus remains uncertain. The Brazilian defender is among those who could potentially leave the club in the mid-season transfer window, adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing transfer discussions between these Serie A giants.