Manna: ‘Napoli will evaluate opportunities’ for new midfielders, but not Insigne

Napoli director Giovanni Manna confirms they ‘will evaluate opportunities’ for midfielders in January, but insists there is no approach for free agent Lorenzo Insigne.

The showdown with Roma kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Partenopei are pushing to get back on top of the table in this Scudetto battle, sitting only two points behind the Giallorossi.

“Roma had a remarkable second half of the season under Claudio Ranieri, so with Gasperini here too and new players, we expected Roma to be doing this well. It’s a pity he is not on the touchline this evening, but we expect to see a great game of football,” Manna told DAZN Italia.

Gian Piero Gasperini is sitting out a touchline ban following his red card for dissent, so won’t be able to face off directly with Antonio Conte.

Their injury crisis in midfield prompted a tactical reshuffle to 3-4-3 with Noa Lang and David Neres flanking Rasmus Hojlund.

It has worked in back-to-back victories over Atalanta in Serie A and Qarabag in the Champions League, but are there plans to bring in January reinforcements?

“We are objectively a little short in midfield at the moment, but I don’t want to talk about the transfer market, as it would seem like diminishing the work done by the coach and these lads,” replied Manna.

“It is beyond doubt that we are missing some very important players for long periods, players with experience and quality. The work done so far is excellent, as we are near the top of the table.

“We will evaluate if there are opportunities in January and we’ll see what happens.”

Lorenzo Insigne is looking for a return to Serie A after his time with Toronto FC and talks with Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio seem to have slowed, is it because Napoli got involved?

“We did not get involved. We talked to him in June and July, but we are covered in those positions right now, so there is no need for him. Lorenzo was a huge player for Napoli, we wish him all the best, but we are covered in those roles.”