Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said he’s hoping to sign an American player, taking a swipe at MLS in the process.
De Laurentiis just watched his side achieve a historic Serie A title, winning the Italian top flight for the first time in 33 years. Looking ahead to next season, the president said he’d like to add players from two countries for Napoli’s title defense.
“I would like to add more players. I would like to have an American, because in America even if the league is worth little, there are great players who shine in the national team,” De Laurentiis told La Repubblica.
“And then a Japanese player, already having a Korean in the team (Kim Min-jae), since there is great development of football in the East and there are new names to consider.”
Which American could Napoli sign?
Napoli has been linked with two USMNT players in the past week.
Corriere dello Sport said that Christian Pulisic is on the club’s radar, with the USMNT star widely expected to leave Chelsea after a disappointing campaign.
On Friday, AreaNapoli.it reported that Napoli had reached out to representatives of FC Dallas and USMNT striker Jesús Ferreira. The 22-year-old could reportedly be available for a €12 million fee.
Though there were as many as four Americans in Serie A last season (Weston McKennie, Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessman, Bryan Reynolds), there is only one currently in the Italian top flight: Sergiño Dest. However, the AC Milan right back hasn’t played since January and he’s expected to return to Barcelona when his loan ends at the conclusion of the season.
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