Napoli Seek New Goalkeeper This Summer After Ederson Pursuit Fails

Napoli need a new goalkeeper before the 2025/26 season, as the club’s hunt for Ederson ends in disappointment. New head coach Antonio Conte has ominous plans for the club, with their goal to get back in the top four of the Serie A with the help of some big player signings.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Napoli are actively in the market for a new shot-stopper after failing to woo Ederson from Manchester City last week. With the deal not materializing, the Partenopei have been offered goalkeeper Rui Patricio, according to Corriere dello Sport, who established himself as one of the best custodians of the game.

The club’s quest for a new goalkeeper has resulted in them being forced to take a look at some of the goalkeeping options that might not jeopardize Alex Meret’s place in the starting line-up. Napoli extended Meret’s contract until June 2027, suggesting that he will have to stay patient on the whole goalkeeping front.

Napoli plans to sell Victor Osimhen, who is expected to leave the club in a deal worth up to €75 million, increasing Napoli’s urgency to find a new goalscorer.

CONTE’S ARRIVAL CHANGES NAPOLI’S TRANSFER PLANS

Conte wants an experienced goalkeeper between the sticks and the onus is on Rui Patricio (with 111 caps for the Portuguese national team) to guide young Meret through the goalkeeping nuances. Indeed, Rui Patricio has submitted his resignation to Roma, having been sidelined by manager Domenico Tedesco in favor of 20-year-old Italian goalkeeper Simone Scardina. Since then, the Portuguese has been trying to find a club to stay for the last few years of his career.

But Rui Patricio remains a free agent, according to the reports, not a rental solution. Rui Patricio represents an opportunity for Napoli, as the Portuguese could sign before the end of the summer transfer window, or remain available off-list beyond September 2.

WHAT NEXT FOR NAPOLI?

In the meantime, Napoli’s management conducts its evaluations, as the club has previously been linked with Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and Lecce’s Wladimiro Falcone. It remains to be seen who will take over between Napoli’s sticks, particularly with a home opener against Atlanta.

Napoli are rebuilding their squad after selling Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray for €75 million, increasing the urgency for a new signing.