Napoli To Trim Squad Before Signings As Allegri Takes Helm

Napoli are entering a decisive summer, with Aurelio De Laurentiis juggling a huge squad, transfer offers and the arrival of Massimiliano Allegri as head coach after a season that brought second place behind Inter in Serie A and Champions League qualification.

De Laurentiis explained that Napoli must offload players before considering any new signings, as 24 loanees return to the club and push the senior group to 47 players, while recent obligations to buy have already added new permanent arrivals to the squad.

The Napoli president described how intense the market interest has been, making clear that reducing numbers is the first task before Allegri can shape the group further through any incoming deals or tactical adjustments for the new campaign.

De Laurentiis said: "In the last month I must have received 200 proposals for players to sign, De Laurentiis said, as quoted by Football Italia. But I told them to stay calm.We have 47 players, and we need to place 25 before we can talk.In my opinion, we won't need to buy anyone and will give away many."

Napoli recently confirmed Allegri on a three-year contract, ending the short reign of Antonio Conte, as De Laurentiis looked for a coach who could bring stability while working within the current squad, which already includes several notable recent additions in attack and midfield.

Napoli had long targeted Allegri and moved swiftly once Milan dismissed the coach after missing Champions League qualification, with Milan finishing fifth in Serie A, one point behind fourth-placed Como, ending Allegri's second spell at San Siro after only one season.

Across Allegri's managerial career there are 14 trophies, including two major honours with Milan and 12 with Juventus, where Allegri served in two separate periods, making Napoli confident that the new coach has the experience to guide a team already competing at the top level.

Napoli and Massimiliano Allegri: squad changes and returning players

The club have already turned Alisson Santos' temporary stay into a full transfer after a loan from Sporting CP during the second half of the 2025-26 season, showing Napoli's preference to secure players who have already adapted to the squad and system.

Rasmus Hojlund is another recent permanent signing, with Napoli's Champions League qualification activating an obligation-to-buy clause in the forward's loan from Manchester United, after Hojlund scored 16 goals in all competitions during the previous season.

The Partenopei must also assess 24 players coming back from various loans, which contributes heavily to the figure of 47 contracted players mentioned by De Laurentiis, meaning that many departures, whether sales or further loans, are expected across the upcoming transfer window.

De Laurentiis had spoken earlier about seeking continuity with the next coach, and now believes Allegri fits that requirement, stating: "Mr Allegri is a company man, we'll get along very well,De Laurentiis added." With Champions League football secured and a large squad in place, Napoli will now aim to refine the group under Allegri rather than overhaul it.