Antonio Conte: 5 Players New Napoli Boss Could Sign Amid Reported €250M Transfer Budget

• Antonio Conte has been officially unveiled as Napoli’s new boss after signing a three-year contract
• It is the Italian’s first managerial role since he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur over one year ago
• According to multiple reports in the Italian media, Conte will receive a €250 million transfer budget

The Antonio Conte era has officially kicked off at Napoli. This morning, the former Chelsea manager was unveiled as the new manager of the 2023 Italian Serie A champions.

It was Conte’s first managerial role since he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in March 2023 following an explosive press conference where he slammed the club’s ambitions.

According to Il Matino, via Calcio Napoli, the manager is expected to be given a transfer budget of €250 million to revamp the squad, including funds from the possible sale of Victor Osimhen.

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Sports Brief looks at five players Conte could splash the cash on, including one of his former players.

Players Conte could sign as Napoli boss

1. Romelu Lukaku

The last time Conte managed a Serie A club and had Lukaku leading the line, was with Inter Milan. There, they won the Scudetto, with the Belgian striker winning the league’s most valuable player. According to Di Marzio, the manager has made contact with his former striker for a reunion. He has a release clause of £38 million at Chelsea.

2. Artem Dovbyk

The Ukrainian forward helped Girona finish third in La Liga last year. He won the Pichichi trophy with 24 goals, edging out Alex Sorloth with a final-day hat-trick. He reportedly has a release clause of €40mil and is seen as an alternative to Lukaku.

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3. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Jose Mourinho signed the Danish international when he was at Tottenham. Hojbjerg was one of Conte’s main players during their time together at North London. Corriere dello Sport reports that the manager is aiming for a reunion with his former player, who has fallen down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou.

4. Albert Gudmundsson

Genoa attacking midfielder, Gudmundsson, is one of the names reportedly on Conte’s shortlist to bolster the Neapolitans’ squad and challenge for the Scudetto next season. The Icelandic star scored 14 league goals last season and provided four assists.

5. Giorgiy Sudakov

Sudakov confirmed recently in an interview that Shakhtar Donetsk had rejected an offer from Napoli for him in the January transfer window. Aurelio De Laurentiis will reportedly try again for the Ukrainian attacker ahead of next season.

Chelsea call off Osimhen-Lukaku swap deal

Sports Brief previously reported Chelsea calling off the Osimhen-Lukaku swap deal despite initial reports in the media claiming negotiations were going ahead.

The Blues have reportedly ruled out signing the Nigerian forward and will demand the entire £38 million release fee for the Belgian from any club that wants him.