Ongoing Napoli talks for Cagliari defender to replace injured Di Lorenzo

01.02.2026 14:55

Multiple sources claim that Napoli are in talks with Cagliari to sign Gabriele Zappa as a replacement for the injured Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Napoli have targeted Cagliari right-back Zappa as a potential replacement for Di Lorenzo.

Napoli in talks to sign Di Lorenzo’s replacement

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina battles for possession with Giovanni Di Lorenzo of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

The latter suffered a suspected knee injury during a Serie A match against Fiorentina on Saturday, urging Napoli to look for a replacement just one day before the end of the winter transfer window on February 2.

Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio and Repubblica claim that negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing, with Zappa very much open to moving to the Stadio Maradona.

Zappa open to joining Napoli

ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 03: Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Gabriele Zappa of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on November 03, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

According to Repubblica, Napoli turned to Zappa after Genoa asked for a loan deal with an obligation to buy worth €20m for Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

Zappa is currently Napoli’s top target to replace Di Lorenzo. As per Sky Sport, the other options for the Partenopei are Ignace Van der Brempt (Como), Davide Calabria (Panathinaikos) and Timothy Castagne of Fulham.