Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed his side have set sights on Tottenham defender Kieran Trippier ahead of the summer transfer market.
Refusing to commit to a pursuit at the end of the season, the Italian manager, who has helped guide his current club to second in Serie A, admitted that he and his transfer team were running the rule over the Spurs full back, alongside PSV Eindhoven’s Hirving Lozano.
He was quoted by Sky Sports as saying: “All I can say is that they’re both [Trippier and Lozano] players we’re evaluating. So, to be honest, I can only confirm our appreciation of the player. Now we have to start proceeding with the analysis.”
Trippier has been a mainstay for Mauricio Pochettino this season with 36 appearances across all competitions.
Opinion
If Spurs were not worried about losing Trippier this summer, they should be now. After all, Napoli are not going to be the only team interested in his capture. However, it does seem as though the English flyer has had his halo knocked off recently and there is the feeling that Tottenham would not be too disappointed if he did end up leaving north London. Of course a replacement is an absolutely must, Serge Aurier hardly the most convincing of options out on the right side of defence, and that is going to cost money but if Tottenham want to push on in terms of their quality then they could certainly seal an upgrade on the Ivorian and Englishman. Sitting second in Italy’s top flight, there would be plenty of pressure on Trippier were he to make the move to the continent but it might be the sort of challenge he would relish. Only time will tell whether he is given the chance to make his mark under Ancelotti.