Forgione: Napoli Needs a Different Profile in Attack Amidst Jesus, Jackson, and Zirkzee Speculation

Journalist Angelo Forgione, speaking on Radio Tutto Napoli, addressed various transfer rumors surrounding Napoli, including the ongoing situation with Badiashile, potential goalkeeper exchanges involving Musso and Milinkovic-Savic, and the speculation around strikers like Nicholas Jackson, Gabriel Jesus, and Joshua Zirkzee. Forgione expressed concerns about the club's attacking strategy, suggesting that the diverse profiles of the rumored forwards indicate a lack of a clear tactical plan.

Regarding Badiashile, Forgione acknowledged fan skepticism but reiterated that the information comes from the club. He suggested that potential delays in medical visits might be due to the club's thoroughness in assessing a player with a somewhat problematic injury history, which he views positively as it protects the club's interests. He urged patience and trust in the process.

On the subject of Nicolas Jackson, Forgione commented that the sudden emergence of a player's name in transfer talks often signifies genuine interest. He doubted that Napoli would intentionally mislead by circulating names if their primary target was someone else. He believes the club's initial plan to sell two attacking players (Lang and Lucca) to acquire a significant reinforcement for Hojlund and the rest of the attacking line is likely still in motion. While other avenues might be explored, Forgione doesn't anticipate major surprises designed for misdirection, suggesting any secret pursuits would remain confidential until the last moment.

Discussing the potential exchange between Musso and Milinkovic-Savic, Forgione questioned the financial implications and the reasoning behind such a move. He noted that their salaries are comparable (around 2.5-3 million euros). He suggested that if this exchange were to happen, it would imply that Allegri has doubts about Milinkovic-Savic's suitability for Napoli from a technical standpoint, as there would be no clear economic or financial advantage. Forgione argued that changing goalkeepers in this manner points to a technical evaluation, leading him to believe Allegri deems Milinkovic-Savic not up to Napoli's standards.

Forgione questioned the logic of having a first and second goalkeeper situation if it leads to such dilemmas. He stated that if Napoli were to acquire a reputable goalkeeper like Musso, he would expect Musso to be the starter, and consequently, Meret would likely be sold, as the player and his agent have reportedly requested. He envisioned a scenario where a new, less expensive second goalkeeper would be brought in to comfortably serve as a backup. Forgione stressed that continuing with ambiguous goalkeeper situations is detrimental, citing the previous year's issues and suggesting Napoli has learned from mistakes made with Caprile and Milinkovic-Savic.

He also considered the possibility of Matej Kovar returning to Napoli as a second-choice goalkeeper if Milinkovic-Savic were to be sold. However, he reiterated the need for a competent backup who is content on the bench. He drew a parallel to Caprile, who voluntarily sought a transfer to play elsewhere, and suggested that Napoli needs to find a similar profile of backup if they aim to secure a top-tier starting goalkeeper, ensuring the defense and coaching staff are not put under pressure.

Finally, Forgione expressed significant concern about Napoli evaluating three distinct attacking profiles: Gabriel Jesus, Nicolas Jackson, and Zirkzee. He views this as a potential red flag, indicating a lack of a clear tactical plan or a defined player profile. He believes the club should first identify a specific profile and then seek players who fit it. Forgione specifically questioned the need for a player like Zirkzee, noting his past performance and his classification as a trequartista or second striker. He argued that Napoli already possesses players like De Bruyne and others in the squad who can fulfill such roles, and therefore, the current focus on these varied attacking options suggests a lack of strategic clarity in their forward recruitment.