Ajax eye winter striker via Napoli as the club struggles in Serie A

Ajax urgently needs a new striker to close the gap in attack, and technical director Jordi Cruijff is looking at a winter transfer to Amsterdam from Napoli, where coach Massimiliano Allegri is willing to make well‑known names available. Napoli currently sits tenth in Serie A with eleven points from eight games.

Allegri looks for striker for Napoli

Allegri is determined to improve performances and has circled the transfer window in red. He points out to the club management that his team scores up to ten goals fewer than league leaders Internazionale.

The coach wants to strengthen the forward line this season with one or more strikers. The club management is open to those wishes, but has made clear that some players must leave to keep the financial accounts healthy. Three former Ajax players – Lorenzo Lucca, Noa Lang and David Neres – are mentioned as possible departure candidates.

Ajax considers return of former Ajax players

For Ajax this could be good news; a return of Lucca is ruled out, but Lang and Neres are potentially interesting. Lang may look to another club because of inconsistent performances, Il Mattino reports on Monday. His Brazilian teammate Neres has raised doubts due to repeated injuries.

In the summer Ajax was already serious in the race for Lang, who was seen as the successor of Mika Godts, now at Paris Saint‑Germain. A reunion has however not materialised and his situation in Napoli has remained unchanged since then.

The Amsterdam side wonder whether the current squad is sufficient. Ajax could make a new attempt for Lang in January. Napoli is not expected to set exorbitant conditions for a winter transfer.

For Neres it is unclear whether comparable conditions apply; his injury history makes a mega‑deal complicated. The winter market therefore offers both opportunities and obstacles for the Amsterdam club. Any agreement depends on Napoli's financial wishes and the availability of the players.