De Laurentis’ promise

By: Joe | August 21st, 2007

During the Trofea Birra Moretti friendly on August 8, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentis responded to the increase fan frustration over the dearth of acquisitions by claiming the squad would add three reinforcements during the remaining calciomercato. The rumours of potential signings included Lyon’s Brazilian magician Fred, under-achieving extraordinaire Alvaro Recoba, Argentinean legend Juan Roman Riquelme and, “God please no!” Bernardo Corradi (who can’t find any space at Manchester City even if Bojinov is out until January). Direttore Generale Pier Paulo Marino made good on De Laurentis’ promise today by signing two Juventus players (please tell me they don’t sport any bianconeri tattoos).

Napoli have reportedly completed co-ownership signings of Juventus duo Manuele Blasi (pictured above in the uh… green tighties) and Marcelo Zalayeta. The Old Lady have agreed to sell a 50 per cent share in the two players to Napoli. Rumours indicate Blasi will pocket a 1.1 million euro signing bonus and Zalayeta a little under a million euros. Both players should begin training with the squad tomorrow. They could also see immediate action since Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marik Hamsik are both out with international duty and not expected back until Friday. Although the first match of the season on Sunday against Cagliari is of the utmost importance, Coach Edy Reja has to have one eye on the Coppa Italia match against Livorno set for August 29th. He’ll need to keep players fresh and the need for a deeper, more talented squad couldn’t be more evident. When we qualify for the Champions League it’ll be an even bigger issue. It felt nice just to read that sentence. Feel free to linger there awhile and dream of 80,000 screaming Napoletanos giving it to Real Madrid or Liverpool. It’s enough to make you cry in your sfogliatella.

Earlier in the week, Napoli signed defender Matteo Contini from Parma. Contini had received other offers from Serie A squads but chose the Azzurri. The 27-year-old explained why he came to San Paolo: “I was lured by the appeal of the place and the fact that Napoli are one of the best loved clubs in Italy,” the ex-Parma man told Pianeta Napoli. “To have the chance to play for such a side is an opportunity I couldn’t let slip. It gives me great pride to be a Napoli player.”

Contini had attracted a host of suitors due to his consistency and versatility as he is able to play either on the backline or as a d-mid, but he had no doubts about his destination.
“I had other top-flight approaches and even some from abroad, but when I got an offer from here I didn’t have to think twice,” he explained. “I contacted my agent and told him to do everything he could to make the move to Napoli happen as soon as possible.”