Napoli reject chance to sign Manchester City’s John Stones | OneFootball

Napoli have turned down the opportunity to sign Manchester City defender John Stones, as Antonio Conte prioritizes other areas of the squad and is focused on Federico Chiesa.

According to Il Mattino (relayed by AreaNapoli), the agents representing the English international reached out to the Partenopei to propose a move. Stones, whose contract with the Citizens is set to expire in June, has seen his playing time limited this season due to technical choices and a string of injuries.

Despite the prestige and experience the 31-year-old would bring to the backline, Napoli’s response was a firm no, as the club is currently focused on different profiles.

While the defensive links persist, Conte’s primary focus remains on bolstering the attack. The Italian is pushing hard for Federico Chiesa, who is currently struggling for consistent minutes at Liverpool. The hope in Naples is that the Premier League side might be open to a loan deal in the final days of the window, providing Conte with a high-caliber arrival, with Noa Lang likely departing.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN