Alex Meret is weighing up his future at Serie A leaders Napoli amid reported interest from Antonio Conte’s Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, as reported by AreaNapoli.
When Napoli brought veteran shot-stopper David Opsina to Italy in the summer of 2019, the expectation was that the 30-something Colombian would be little more than a reliable back-up at the Stadio San Paolo.
Few would have expected, at the time, that the former Arsenal man would relegate Napoli’s £32 million marquee signing to the bench.
But that is exactly what happened.
Alex Meret, the fourth-most expensive signing in Partonepei history, shared goalkeeping duties with Ospina during the last two seasons.
Since the appointment of Luciano Spalletti as Gennaro Gattuso’s replacement, however, the balance has tipped in the 33-year-old’s favour. In 12 Serie A matches under Spalletti, Meret has featured just twice.
And with an unbeaten Napoli side flying high at the top of the table, that is unlikely to change. If it’s not broken, after all.
Would Alex Meret leave Napoli for Spurs?
According to The Independent, Tottenham have identified 24-year-old Meret as a potential long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris in North London.
Interestingly, the former Udinese ace has previously been linked with Inter Milan and Chelsea during Antonio Conte’s time in charge.
“Conte saw him in the national team and was really impressed,” the manager’s agent, Federico Pastorello, said of Meret in 2017.
According to AreaNapoli, Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis wants to tie Meret down to a new, long-term contract with his current deal expiring in 2023. The seldom-seen goalkeeper is less convinced, however, holding talks with his agent as he weighs up a potential move away from Southern Italy.
Meret, once described as a ‘truly special goalkeeper’ by former Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti, is joined by Emi Martinez and Alex Remiro on Tottenham’s hitlist.
The former looks destined to stay at Aston Villa, however, while the latter seemed to rule out a move when asked earlier this week.
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