Napoli, progress for the renewals of Anguissa and Meret

Naples, 20 November 2024 - Of the most burning and media-focused case, the one linked to Khvisha Kvaratskhelia, including from express declarations of the sporting director John Manna, we will talk about it again later and, in all probability, even at the end of the season almost as a result of an agreement established between the parties, but the renewal machine of the Napoli continues with the lights off, recording progress on two fronts: those related to Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa e Alex Meret.

Smoke (almost) white for Anguissa and Meret

 The first case is the simplest and, at the same time, almost obvious, because the Cameroonian's contract includes a two-year option (1 + 1) prerogative of the Neapolitan club to extend the current agreement, which expires on 30 June 2025. Nobody, not even in the midst of the general crisis and of the midfielder himself during the last season, ever thought that the Napoli he would have deliberately lost a player who was paid anyway for free 15 million and which today is probably worth almost double.

However, there was a period in which the relationship between the parties had reached its lowest point, mainly due to the performance of Anguissa, perhaps one of the most regressed players in the rapid fall from the ecstasy of the Scudetto to the season closed in anonymity of the tenth place in the standings. At that time, with the contract still in force, the idea was to say goodbye through a transfer, even if far from the figures usually requested by Aurelio De Laurentiis when it comes to making a dent in the starting eleven. Then, a bit of a page turned with vigor (and investments) by the club on the market and a bit (a lot) the arrival on the bench of Antonio Conte, here is the class of '95 who returns as the midfielder of the golden days: quality and above all quantity at the service of the Napoli, presumably even up to 30 June 2028. Practically, a lifetime bond for Anguissa, who will first be retained through the option already present in the current contract, with an associated salary adjustment, which should reach 3 million, and then he could be awarded an extra year's bonus by the Neapolitan club.

The ball goes to Manna, working to shield the Cameroonian for more than what is established by a cold postscript, which perhaps would not do justice to a relationship that is now solid. Such is also the one with Meret, which however has gone through many more storms and oscillations. Without a signature, the Friulian would also say goodbye to next summer and this time without the parachute of any option. It is no coincidence that the negotiations in this case have been going on for longer, having also experienced ups and downs, especially last summer, when for a moment (or perhaps more) the idea of ​​separating had flashed in the minds of all the parties involved. Also in this case, the effect Tale it made its presence felt both in internal relationships and in the performance of the class of '97, often decisive especially in the very first matches of the season.

Precisely the often miraculous saves of Meret, one of the best in particular in close-range interventions, have given a new boost to the speeches, which in truth had already reached a very advanced stage. As for Anguissa, it is not yet time for announcements, but this time there should be no dark clouds on the horizon, even if this time with a small asterisk. Unlike the Cameroonian, there is not yet a total agreement on the figures and duration of the new contract, but the talks to overcome these obstacles are becoming more intense, as also confirmed by Federico Pastorello, the goalkeeper's agent. There are no certain times, but with a very close deadline that on paper could lead Meret to sign for another team already in January, the hope of the home parties and especially of the Napoli is to give yourself a renewal, if not two, by Christmas.

Gilmour's statements

 Speeches that don't touch Billy gilmour, who arrived this summer and to be precise at the end of the market despite being one of the first names on the agenda of the new technical management of the Azzurri. After starting as a supporting actor behind the regular Lobotka Town Hall, the latter's injury paved the way for him to play several matches as a starter: the result was good, thanks to an excellent impact with the new reality that was discussed in an interview given during the training camp Scotland in which there was no lack of remote comparison with Piotr Zielinski, faced (and beaten) in the recent crossing of Nations League. "It's still very early to talk about what will or will not happen in the season. We're thinking game by game to see what happens, but clearly we've started well and this is allowing us to dream. Working with Tale He's very handsome, because he's a top manager. Zielinski instead he is an excellent player, good at giving and receiving the ball. On the other hand, to play in theInter you have to be a great player."

The substitute teaching position has ended Lobotka, to gilmour now the bench returns, but certainly not for punitive or definitive purposes. The Slovakian himself, returning from a rather long muscular stoppage, will be rationed in view of the tour de force that awaits the Napoli (and the other teams) in the coming months. Then there will be the return of the Coppa Italia, which will require reflections on turnover and not only in terms of the control room. The midfield itself will require different rotations to prevent the big players from running out of steam or to prevent physical problems.

From one Scotsman to another: the alarm for Scott McTominay and his ankle has stopped ringing but not completely, because despite the reassurances of the person concerned and the outcome of the first tests carried out, the situation will still have to be monitored in view of the Roma. After the initial fear came the sigh of relief, which in turn is now followed by a phase of reflection. The impression however is that it is unlikely that the Napoli e Tale want to give up McTominay who, speaking of the long-distance comparisons made by his compatriot gilmour, perhaps he is the player most similar to Zielinski.

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