Gio Simeone will fulfill his dream

Napoli have signed an Argentine again for the first time since 2014. And not just any one: Gio Simeone, in addition to being the son of Cholo, is the first Pelusa compatriot capable of scoring a goal at Maradona since it was called that and the author of the hat-trick that took the scudetto to the Neapolitans in 2018. Question of destiny.

The negotiation lasted almost two months and depended on several factors. The first, and most important, was the sale of Andrea Petagna at Monza. The Italian striker wanted to be a starter again and Berlusconi’s team will offer him that possibility. With that operation, De Laurentiis received around 15 million euros, the same valuation that ‘Cholito’ will have, although with variables.

The striker arrives in the South, from Verona, on loan for 3.5 million and with a purchase option of 12, which will be mandatory only if Napoli qualifies for the Champions League or if the player meets a number of appearances and goals that has not yet transpired.

For ‘Gio’, who is undergoing his medical examination this morning, At the age of 27, the biggest opportunity of his career arrives. Spalletti considers him the first alternative to Osimhen both in Serie A and in the Champions League, which has always been his great dream. On his left forearm, the striker has had the logo of the highest continental competition tattooed since he was 14 years old. “Every day I see it and it reminds me of my challenge, to play it,” he confessed years ago. He is going to fulfill it after having lived the best season of his career, with 17 goals in 35 appearances at Verona. He has earned it.