Napoli Transfer Market: A Date Has Been Set for Massimiliano Allegri’s Arrival

Napoli Transfer News: Massimiliano Allegri is getting closer and closer to returning to the Azzurri. The deal could be finalized between Monday and Tuesday, with his definitive and official departure from Milan. At that point, all that would be left is the signature, given that the Livorno-born coach has already reached an agreement with Aurelio De Laurentiis and the club’s management—the same club where he briefly played as a player during the 1997–1998 season (an ill-fated one). This time, of course, it would be a coaching position. The duration of this stint—which back then lasted just over six months—will now span three full seasons.

“Sky Sport” confirmed the news on Saturday evening, reporting that everything is set for the mutual termination of the contract that still binds Allegri to Milan. All that remains is for a few documents to be signed, which are expected to be finalized in the very first days of next week. At that point, the Tuscan coach’s second stint with the Rossoneri can be considered definitively over, and his second stint at the foot of Mount Vesuvius will be ready to begin. At that point, with the coaching position now filled, Napoli would leave Lazio and Monza as the only teams that have not yet officially secured their head coaches for the upcoming Serie A season.

While the final bureaucratic formalities are pending, reports suggest that Allegri is already working closely with sporting director Giovanni Manna and De Laurentiis on building the roster for next season. The Livorno-born coach has reportedly already drawn up a list of players deemed indispensable, including Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, McTominay, Buongiorno, Politano, Hojlund, and Alisson-Santos. The first move has already been made: Napoli has permanently signed Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United, a forward who made a strong comeback in Italy last season with 16 goals in 44 total appearances, proving decisive in the Italian Super Cup victory for the Neapolitans.

As for potential signings, Allegri is reportedly targeting two of his trusted players who are still under contract with Milan: Alexis Saelemaekers and Adrien Rabiot. The coach has reportedly already let the two players know that he wants them to join him at Napoli, where the team will compete in the Champions League next season. Saelemaekers, who became a regular starter during his last season with the Rossoneri—making 35 appearances with 3 goals and 3 assists—has, however, recently renewed his contract with Milan through 2031, which puts the Milan-based club in a position of strength during negotiations. Rabiot, on the other hand, is under contract with the Rossoneri through June 2028, but his strong relationship with Allegri could push him toward a departure, especially since there are also signs from Milan of a possible exodus of several key players.

In recent hours, there have also been reports of deep sorrow indirectly involving Napoli’s new coach. Allegri, in fact, visited the funeral chapel set up in Cecina to pay his last respects to Igor Protti, who passed away at age 58 after a long battle with illness. The two had been teammates at Livorno from 1985 to 1988, and the bond between them had remained strong over the years. Napoli, too, issued an official statement paying tribute to the Rimini-born striker, who had worn the blue jersey during the 1997–98 season—ironically, the same season in which Allegri played for the Neapolitan club: “President Aurelio De Laurentiis, the club’s executives, the team, and the entire SSC Napoli family join in mourning the passing of Igor Protti, an extraordinary and unforgettable icon of Italian soccer. He fought until the very end with his usual tenacity, showing a wonderful love for life and his family. Farewell, Igor.”