Napoli are on the verge of finalizing the deal for ex-AS Roma wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola after agreement has been met between the parties.
The Italian player has recently left AS Roma after his contract with the club expired, making him a free agent.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte was interested in signing Pinazzola during his time at Inter Milan but a deal could not be reached at the time.
However, it seems that Napoli now have a golden opportunity to secure the services of the talented player, with positive reports from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Napoli’s Initial proposal
According to previous reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, negotiations between Napoli and Spinazzola have been progressing well, with both parties determined to reach an agreement and Spinazzola is reportedly eager to make the move to Napoli.
However, Napoli reportedly offered Spinazzola a one-year deal, with performance-related incentives due to the player’s recent injury concerns.
This cautious approach was aimed at protecting the club against potential risks associated with Spinazzola’s fitness according to reports.
Spinazzola’s agent requested an additional year in the contract, with an initial one-year deal and an option for a second year based on the club’s preference.
As it stands, Napoli have now agreed on Spinazzola’s agent’s proposal on a two-year contract for the Italian, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2026.
Both parties are eager to finalize the agreement soon, with plans for the player to undergo a medical examination and begin training with Antonio Conte’s team on the way.
Under the guidance of Napoli’s new manager Antonio Conte, Spinazzola is expected to enhance the team’s defensive capabilities following his impressive portfolio at his previous clubs.
During his final season with Roma, Spinazzola played a significant role in 36 matches across Serie A, UEFA Europa League, and Coppa Italia.
The highly sought-after midfielder contributed with one goal and four assists, showcasing his attacking skills from the left side.
Leonardo Spinazzola club career
Born in Foligno, Leonardo Spinazzola began his football career at Siena’s youth academy before making a move to Juventus in 2010. Initially joining the Primavera squad on a temporary deal, Juventus later secured half of his registration rights for €400,000 in June 2012.
In July 2012, Spinazzola was loaned to Serie B side Empoli along with Filippo Boniperti for the season. He made his professional debut on 1 September, coming on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw against Novara.
After a successful loan spell at Empoli, Spinazzola joined Serie A club Atalanta on loan in August 2014. He scored on his debut in the Coppa Italia and made his Serie A debut later that month.
Following loans at Vicenza and Perugia, Spinazzola returned to Atalanta in July 2016, ready to make his mark in the top flight of Italian football.
Having spent two seasons on loan at Atalanta, Spinazzola returned to Juventus in mid-2018 but suffered an ACL injury that kept him out for the first half of the 2018-19 season.
However, his comeback was marked by a goal for Juventus U19 in November, and he made his first team debut in January 2019 in a Coppa Italia match against Bologna.
In July 2019, Spinazzola made a €29.5 million move to Roma from Juventus, signing a four-year contract.
There was a potential transfer to Inter Milan in January 2020 in exchange for Matteo Politano, but the deal fell through due to concerns about Spinazzola’s fitness.
Over all, he has made 363 appearances at club level scoring 21 goals and creating 38 assists.
His international stats
Spinazzola made his senior international debut for the Italy national team on 28 March 2017 as a substitute in a 2-1 friendly away win against the Netherlands.
Ever since then, he has represented the Italy national team in 25 matches.
Leonardo Spinazzola’s achievements
Spinazzola has achieved success at every level of his career so far. Starting from his time in the Juventus Youth team where he won the Torneo di Viareggio in 2012, to his time with Juventus where he secured the Serie A title in 2018-19 and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2018.
He continued his winning streak with Roma, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2021-22 and finishing as runner-up in the UEFA Europa League in 2022-23.
Spinazzola was also a key part of the Italy team that won the UEFA European Championship in 2020.
In addition, he has been recognized individually with honors such as being included in the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament in 2020 and winning the Torneo di Viareggio Best Player award in 2012.
Leonardo Spinazzola’s injury crisis
Italian full back Leonardo Spinazzola, known for his creativity and forward bursts down the left flank, has unfortunately been plagued by injuries throughout his career.
The 31-year-old suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during Italy’s Euro 2020 campaign, which saw him sidelined for a significant period.
Spinazzola struggled for consistent playing time at Roma last season, making just 35 appearances and tallying 2,044 minutes on the field.
Despite his limited game time, he managed to score one goal and provide four assists for the Giallorossi.
Throughout his career, Spinazzola has been plagued by various injuries, including muscle issues, hamstring problems, thigh injuries, and unspecified ailments.
In total, he has missed a staggering 516 days of action due to injuries.
