Manna: ‘Napoli open to various transfer solutions, McTominay can be decisive’

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna admits that the Partenopei are ‘open to various solutions’ in the January transfer window, and has fielded questions on Romelu Lukaku, Lorenzo Lucca, Scott McTominay and Noa Lang ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash against Lazio. 

The Napoli executive spoke to DAZN ahead of kick-off between Lazio and Napoli in the early Sunday Serie A kick-off. 

You can follow the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Manna on Lazio vs. Napoli and January transfers

Napoli have stuck with a 3-4-3 shape for Sunday’s Serie A clash against Lazio, although that is largely due to a lack of alternative options in midfield with Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour all unavailable.  

“We’ve found an alternative set-up in a moment of emergency. Now, we have to find continuity in our performances and then the results will come as a consequence,” Manna told DAZN. 

Rasmus Hojlund gets the nod again at centre-forward as Lorenzo Lucca is out with the flu and Lukaku has not yet returned from his long-term injury. 

“Romelu’s timeline has always been a long one, but it hasn’t been extended,” Manna explained. “We’ve always said that he needs patience, a set-back could be around the corner and we have to be cautious.

“Lorenzo is a player we wanted. He’s got the flu today. We’re open to various solutions, we don’t rule anything out. We know the conditions of the market in which we have to operate.”

Manna was asked whether Napoli could make any moves to bring in a new midfielder during the January transfer window. 

He replied: “We’re waiting for Anguissa, who is an important player, to come back. We’ve missed him a lot. McTominay is showing that he can be decisive in that role. The coach will make his evaluations. He has the skills to do it.” 

And whether summer signing Lang could be heading for an early exit, Manna said: “Lang’s played two good games. I didn’t say that he’s on his way out, rather that we can expect a lot from him. 

“We’re sure that he will take advantage of his opportunities if he gets them. We won’t do things for the sake of doing them, only to improve the team, otherwise we won’t do anything at all.”