Category: Napoli

Reports Arsenal beat Napoli and Milan to Bologna left-back Hickey

May 14, 2022

Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna to sign 19-year-old Scotland international left-back Aaron Hickey for circa €25m, claim reports in Italy.

It was no secret that the Gunners were targeting the teenage sensation who has scored five Serie A goals this season.

Napoli, Milan and others were also keeping track of Hickey and preparing for a summer bid.

However, according to CalcioNapoli24, Bologna director Riccardo Bigon flew to London this weekend and was able to negotiate basic terms for a transfer.

It would be a move worth in the region of €20-25m, depending on various performance-related bonuses.

The clubs already have a strong rapport thanks to Arsenal signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna last summer for €18.6m plus add-ons.

It was a huge profit for the Rossoblu, who had paid just €7m to sign the Japan international from VV Sint-Truiden just two years earlier.

Hickey will turn 20 next month and was snapped up from Hearts for €1.7m in September 2020, so would represent an even quicker and more profitable turnaround for Bologna.

Reports Arsenal beat Napoli and Milan to Bologna left-back Hickey

May 14, 2022

Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna to sign 19-year-old Scotland international left-back Aaron Hickey for circa €25m, claim reports in Italy.

It was no secret that the Gunners were targeting the teenage sensation who has scored five Serie A goals this season.

Napoli, Milan and others were also keeping track of Hickey and preparing for a summer bid.

However, according to CalcioNapoli24, Bologna director Riccardo Bigon flew to London this weekend and was able to negotiate basic terms for a transfer.

It would be a move worth in the region of €20-25m, depending on various performance-related bonuses.

The clubs already have a strong rapport thanks to Arsenal signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna last summer for €18.6m plus add-ons.

It was a huge profit for the Rossoblu, who had paid just €7m to sign the Japan international from VV Sint-Truiden just two years earlier.

Hickey will turn 20 next month and was snapped up from Hearts for €1.7m in September 2020, so would represent an even quicker and more profitable turnaround for Bologna.

Arsenal step up pursuit of Bologna talent Hickey

May 11, 2022

Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their attempts to sign Bologna full-back Aaron Hickey, fighting competition from Napoli and Newcastle United.

The Scotland international turns 20 next month and was snapped up from Hearts in September 2020 for €1.7m.

It has been a breakthrough campaign for him in Serie A, scoring a personal best five Serie A goals in 34 games this season, along with an assist.

Hickey is under contract at the Stadio Dall’Ara until June 2024.

According to The Mirror newspaper, Arsenal are eager to get there ahead of the chasing pack and get a deal done with Bologna as soon as possible.

He is being called the new Gareth Bale for his attacking prowess on the left wing.

The asking price is currently in the region of €20m and rising with every strong performance he puts in for the Serie A side.

Hickey could continue his Serie A career at Napoli, who have qualified for the 2022-23 Champions League, or go to the Premier League for Arsenal or Newcastle United.

Napoli President De Laurentiis refuses selfie with Juventus fan

May 11, 2022

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis refused to pose for a selfie with a young football fan because they were wearing a Juventus jersey.

The incident occurred as the patron arrived at the meeting of the Lega Serie A at the CONI offices.

A teenager was waiting for various people to walk by and asking for selfies, but De Laurentiis refused to oblige.

“I am not Juve,” said the Napoli President while walking away from a clearly disappointed fan.

Napoli are currently on track to pip Juventus to third place in the Serie A table.

Napoli vs. Genoa Predictions & Betting Tips

May 11, 2022

The Partenopei are looking to lock in a top-three finish this weekend as we pick out our Napoli vs. Genoa predictions for this game. The Grifone did their weekend opponents a favour by beating Juventus in their last game, but are unlikely to repeat the feat on Sunday.

Napoli vs. Genoa odds

1 – Napoli to win – 8/11

2 – Napoli to keep a clean sheet – 13/8

3 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 11/10

4 – Osimhen to score anytime – 13/10

5 – Napoli to score a penalty – 7/2

Napoli host Genoa at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday afternoon over the penultimate Serie A weekend of the season. A shock comeback win at the death for the Rossoblu last weekend against Juventus means that a win for the Partenopei would guarantee that they finish above the Old Lady. 

The situation is more precarious for Alexander Blessin’s side, who sit second from bottom in the Serie A table. All it not lost for Genoa however, thanks to two wins out of their last three games. Should the Grifone win at least one of their last two games they could still have a chance of surviving the drop. 

This is likely to make Sunday’s match a far trickier task than expected for the hosts, who would have been hoping their opponents’ fate to be a forgone conclusion. That said, Napoli’s strength on paper means that they remain our tip to take an all-important three points this weekend. 

Despite putting two past Juventus the other week, Genoa’s downfall has largely been down to their underperforming front line. Mattia Destro may have enjoyed a purple patch, but is now without a goal in eight games, while the Rossoblu have scored five fewer than any other team in Serie A. As a result, a bet on Napoli to secure a clean sheet against the Grifone is promising. 

Napoli’s front line have been inconsistent themselves, putting six past Sassuolo one week before struggling to break down a resolute Torino side last weekend. Given that three of Genoa’s last four games have seen under 2.5 goals scored, a punt on another low-scoring match at the Stadio Maradona may be a winner. 

The responsibility for breaking the visitors’ defence lies with Victor Osimhen, who has bagged 13 goals for Napoli already this season. The Nigerian is favourite to score anytime and open his goalscoring account against the Grifone. 

While Osimhen looks likely to finish as the Azzurri’s top scorer, Napoli’s effectiveness at winning penalties has ensured that Lorenzo Insigne ends his Serie A career with double figures this season. The hosts have received more penalties than any other side this season and have good odds to score another on Sunday. 

How to stream Napoli vs. Genoa

Sign up to bet365 to stream Napoli vs. Genoa live this weekend, which you can do with a funded account or by placing a bet within 24 hours of the match. An ExpressVPN account can also allow international viewers to tune in from across the world. To sign up and claim three months free: 

  • Head to expressvpn.com
  • Click ‘Get the #1 Rated VPN’
  • Choose your plan
  • Enter email address and payment details
  • Click ‘Join Now’ and download app

Napoli vs. Genoa last five matches

Napoli last five matches

Genoa last five matches

Napoli top goalscorers

Genoa top goalscorers

Napoli vs. Genoa line-ups

Napoli (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Rui; Ruiz, Anguissa; Lozano, Mertens, Insigne; Osimhen.

Genoa (4-2-3-1): Sirigu; Hefti, Ostigard, Bani, Criscito; Galdames, Bedelj; Melegoni, Amiri, Portanova; Destro.

Napoli team news

Luciano Spalletti has his full squad available for Sunday’s match and is unlikely to make any major changes to his starting XI. The manager has been using Dries Mertens as a number 10 in recent weeks and may do so again here, meaning Matteo Politano and Hirving Lozano will battle it out for the right-wing slot. 

Genoa team news

Roberto Piccoli and Zinho Vandheusden are Genoa’s only injury doubts, with Alexander Bellin likely to name the XI that started in the win over Juventus. Having scored the winning goal, Albert Gudmundsson may be given the nod over Destro, with no further changes anticipated. 

Napoli vs. Genoa Predictions & Betting Tips

May 11, 2022

The Partenopei are looking to lock in a top-three finish this weekend as we pick out our Napoli vs. Genoa predictions for this game. The Grifone did their weekend opponents a favour by beating Juventus in their last game, but are unlikely to repeat the feat on Sunday.

Napoli vs. Genoa odds

1 – Napoli to win – 8/11

2 – Napoli to keep a clean sheet – 13/8

3 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 11/10

4 – Osimhen to score anytime – 13/10

5 – Napoli to score a penalty – 7/2

Napoli host Genoa at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday afternoon over the penultimate Serie A weekend of the season. A shock comeback win at the death for the Rossoblu last weekend against Juventus means that a win for the Partenopei would guarantee that they finish above the Old Lady. 

The situation is more precarious for Alexander Blessin’s side, who sit second from bottom in the Serie A table. All it not lost for Genoa however, thanks to two wins out of their last three games. Should the Grifone win at least one of their last two games they could still have a chance of surviving the drop. 

This is likely to make Sunday’s match a far trickier task than expected for the hosts, who would have been hoping their opponents’ fate to be a forgone conclusion. That said, Napoli’s strength on paper means that they remain our tip to take an all-important three points this weekend. 

Despite putting two past Juventus the other week, Genoa’s downfall has largely been down to their underperforming front line. Mattia Destro may have enjoyed a purple patch, but is now without a goal in eight games, while the Rossoblu have scored five fewer than any other team in Serie A. As a result, a bet on Napoli to secure a clean sheet against the Grifone is promising. 

Napoli’s front line have been inconsistent themselves, putting six past Sassuolo one week before struggling to break down a resolute Torino side last weekend. Given that three of Genoa’s last four games have seen under 2.5 goals scored, a punt on another low-scoring match at the Stadio Maradona may be a winner. 

The responsibility for breaking the visitors’ defence lies with Victor Osimhen, who has bagged 13 goals for Napoli already this season. The Nigerian is favourite to score anytime and open his goalscoring account against the Grifone. 

While Osimhen looks likely to finish as the Azzurri’s top scorer, Napoli’s effectiveness at winning penalties has ensured that Lorenzo Insigne ends his Serie A career with double figures this season. The hosts have received more penalties than any other side this season and have good odds to score another on Sunday. 

How to stream Napoli vs. Genoa

Sign up to bet365 to stream Napoli vs. Genoa live this weekend, which you can do with a funded account or by placing a bet within 24 hours of the match. An ExpressVPN account can also allow international viewers to tune in from across the world. To sign up and claim three months free: 

  • Head to expressvpn.com
  • Click ‘Get the #1 Rated VPN’
  • Choose your plan
  • Enter email address and payment details
  • Click ‘Join Now’ and download app

Napoli vs. Genoa last five matches

Napoli last five matches

Genoa last five matches

Napoli top goalscorers

Genoa top goalscorers

Napoli vs. Genoa line-ups

Napoli (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Rui; Ruiz, Anguissa; Lozano, Mertens, Insigne; Osimhen.

Genoa (4-2-3-1): Sirigu; Hefti, Ostigard, Bani, Criscito; Galdames, Bedelj; Melegoni, Amiri, Portanova; Destro.

Napoli team news

Luciano Spalletti has his full squad available for Sunday’s match and is unlikely to make any major changes to his starting XI. The manager has been using Dries Mertens as a number 10 in recent weeks and may do so again here, meaning Matteo Politano and Hirving Lozano will battle it out for the right-wing slot. 

Genoa team news

Roberto Piccoli and Zinho Vandheusden are Genoa’s only injury doubts, with Alexander Bellin likely to name the XI that started in the win over Juventus. Having scored the winning goal, Albert Gudmundsson may be given the nod over Destro, with no further changes anticipated. 

ADL meets Napoli star Fabian in bid to ward off Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal

May 11, 2022

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis met Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal target Fabian Ruiz on Monday night, offering him a new contract.

The Spain international sees his current deal expire in June 2023 and the Partenopei will be forced to sell him in the summer if the player refuses to extend his stay at the Stadio Maradona.

Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona are keen on the 26-year-old, who had claimed in February that he’d be happy to return to Spain one day. Il Mattino confirms that Carlo Ancelotti is willing to reunite with the Spaniard at the Estadio Bernabeu.

Fabian Ruiz opens door to Barcelona, Real Madrid move and makes Messi admission

Napoli’s hopes to extend with their star seemed over only a few weeks ago, but De Laurentiis hasn’t given up, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. The Napoli chairman reportedly met Fabian after a team dinner on Monday night, offering him a new €3.5m-a-year contract until 2027.

The Spaniard is on a €1.5m-a-year deal at the Stadio Maradona and despite their need to balance the books, Napoli are willing to offer their star a pay rise, given that they will cut their wage bill with the departures of Faouzi Ghoulam, Lorenzo Insigne and, perhaps David Ospina and Kevin Malcuit.

De Laurentiis places trust in ‘formidable’ Spalletti

May 9, 2022

Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed his intention to keep Luciano Spalletti on as Napoli coach despite the team’s failed title challenge this season.

The Partenopei looked to be serious contenders for the Serie A title this season alongside Inter and Milan but they disappointingly fell away as the season started to draw to a close, leaving the two Milanese clubs to duel for the Scudetto. Frustratingly for the fans, Napoli won their last two games back to back, six points that came too late in their league title push.

Speaking at a ceremony unveiling a miniature of a Diego Armando Maradona statue, De Laurentiis discussed the future of coach Spalletti.

“The coach is an employee of the highest level, I did not take him here to make bubù-settete, I took him because he was Mr. Spalletti. He has a contract and I have always said it was a 2-year contract with an option in my favour for the third. Spalletti is staying here.”

He then discussed if Spalletti has made himself at home in the Campania capital.

“No. He’s the one who has to feel that Partenope is in his head and in his soul, if it’s dyed blue, he can’t do without it. Let him work and acclimatise.

“I didn’t give interviews for eight months, I needed to get to know the coach and the man. And in my opinion the coach is formidable and the man is serious, two things that make me say that this time too I have hit the mark.”

Finally, De Laurentiis discussed the need to move his film production company to Naples.

“I’ve understood something very simple: I have to move Filmauro to Naples. At least three times a week I have to be in Castel Volturno to deal with various problems because these guys have wives, families, children.

“Spalletti himself has two grown-up children, but also a 10-year-old girl and a wife who live in Milan. It’s not an easy situation, they are not puppets but people with problems, feelings and families.”

Spalletti’s work was enough to qualify Napoli for the Champions League, giving them vital funds ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Insigne prepares for mixed Napoli farewell

May 8, 2022

In seven days time, Lorenzo Insigne will play in front of the Napoli faithful at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the final time, a fact that has fans divided in their reaction.

The 30-year-old Italian winger has not had a particularly simple season following last summer’s Euro 2020 victory and the announcement that he’ll be joining MLS side Toronto FC in January certainly upset the Partenopei fans, who were upset to lose their talisman following a contract disagreement with president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Insigne has failed to impress on the pitch this season for Napoli and he missed a penalty in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Torino, another example of his inconsistent form. Whilst the club are preparing to celebrate the Italian winger’s final home game, the fans are much more divided, with some ready to finally say goodbye after a forgettable year.

The Napoli captain made his debut for the first team on January 24 2010 and now, 12 and a half years later, he’s preparing to wave goodbye to the home fans, ready for a new adventure across the Atlantic.

Insigne prepares for mixed Napoli farewell

May 8, 2022

In seven days time, Lorenzo Insigne will play in front of the Napoli faithful at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the final time, a fact that has fans divided in their reaction.

The 30-year-old Italian winger has not had a particularly simple season following last summer’s Euro 2020 victory and the announcement that he’ll be joining MLS side Toronto FC in January certainly upset the Partenopei fans, who were upset to lose their talisman following a contract disagreement with president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Insigne has failed to impress on the pitch this season for Napoli and he missed a penalty in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Torino, another example of his inconsistent form. Whilst the club are preparing to celebrate the Italian winger’s final home game, the fans are much more divided, with some ready to finally say goodbye after a forgettable year.

The Napoli captain made his debut for the first team on January 24 2010 and now, 12 and a half years later, he’s preparing to wave goodbye to the home fans, ready for a new adventure across the Atlantic.