Which players do Napoli need to sign in January?

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, looks on prior to the Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at King Saud University Stadium on December 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

With 2026 underway, Napoli once again find themselves juggling ambition on multiple fronts as the January transfer window approaches. Sitting third in Serie A and firmly in the title picture as they attempt to defend their Scudetto, the Azzurri can reflect on a broadly positive domestic campaign so far.

However, Napoli’s struggles in Europe have underlined the limits of their current depth, particularly when managing a demanding calendar. As the second half of the season looms, January offers an opportunity to fine-tune the squad and give head coach Antonio Conte the tools required to compete consistently on all fronts.

As with Inter, the key question is not whether Napoli must act, but whether targeted reinforcements could prove decisive.

What do Napoli not need?

Napoli’s attacking department is, on paper at least, in a healthy position.

Rasmus Højlund has adapted well and provided athleticism, pressing and vertical threat, while Romelu Lukaku is expected to return from injury in the coming weeks. Conte views Lukaku as central to his attacking structure, both as a focal point and as a facilitator for runners around him.

Between those two profiles, one dynamic and mobile, the other physical and dominant, Napoli are well covered at centre-forward. Lorenzo Lucca is also on the books, offering another alternate attacking profile.

As a result, a January move for a striker appears highly unlikely unless an unexpected departure reshapes the picture.

Similarly, the central midfield core remains largely intact. Napoli have control, experience and tactical discipline in that area, and while rotation is sometimes stretched, it is not the most pressing concern.

The same cannot be said elsewhere.

Defence: the area of greatest concern

Napoli’s defensive line has been functional rather than convincing. While results have generally followed, performances have often exposed fragility, particularly when rotation is required or injuries intervene.

One of the clearest signs of strain has been the repeated redeployment of players like Giovanni Di Lorenzo in less-than-suited roles. The Italy international has filled in admirably at centre-back but never entirely fills you with confidence.

Conte demands precision and structural clarity from his back line, and Napoli have not always met that standard. The lack of a dominant, top-class centre-back capable of anchoring the defence and leading the line has been noticeable, especially in European matches where margins are finer.

For that reason, a centre-back is arguably Napoli’s most urgent priority. Whether the club act in January or wait until summer remains open, but the need itself is increasingly evident.

Ideally, Napoli would look for a defender with Serie A experience, someone immediately comfortable with the league’s tactical demands, rather than a raw developmental profile. Conte’s system leaves little room for prolonged adaptation periods, particularly during a title defence.

Wingers: experience over experimentation

Another area under consideration is the wide attacking roles.

Napoli possess pace and technical quality on the flanks, but consistency has been an issue. At times, the side has lacked the reliability and game management that experienced Serie A wingers can provide, especially in tight matches where control matters as much as creativity.

Conte’s preference for wide players who understand spacing, defensive responsibility and tempo control makes this a logical area for reinforcement. A winger with league experience would not necessarily arrive as a guaranteed starter, but rather as a dependable rotation option capable of maintaining standards when changes are required.

Such a signing would also help Napoli cope with the cumulative physical load of domestic and European competition. Fresh legs, familiar with the league, could prove invaluable in the final months of the season.

Depth, depth, depth

Perhaps the most important theme surrounding Napoli’s January planning is not stardom, but sustainability.

Conte’s teams are famously demanding, tactically, physically and mentally. Over a long season, particularly one that includes European commitments, depth becomes a competitive advantage rather than a luxury.

Napoli’s first XI can compete with anyone in Serie A. The drop-off beyond that, however, has been exposed at times. Injuries, suspensions or dips in form have forced Conte into solutions that feel more reactive than strategic.

January could therefore be about strengthening the floor of the squad rather than raising the ceiling. One defender, one experienced wide option, and possibly another versatile squad player could dramatically improve Napoli’s ability to rotate without losing cohesion.

January or patience?

As with Inter, the Partenopei face a familiar dilemma: intervene now, or wait.

January markets are notoriously inefficient, and the club will not want to overpay or compromise summer plans. At the same time, the margin between success and disappointment in a title race can be slim.

Given their position in the table, they are not under pressure to panic-buy. But Europe has served as a warning sign, suggesting the squad may be stretched too thin for the ambitions Conte has set.

A measured January window, focused on defence and experienced depth, would align with both short-term competitiveness and long-term planning.

For Napoli, the challenge is not fixing a broken project, but reinforcing a functioning one. How they approach this window could determine whether their Scudetto defence gathers momentum, or begins to fade under the weight of a long, unforgiving season.