Stanislav Lobotka, a pivotal player in Luciano Spalletti’s Scudetto-winning Napoli squad, is reportedly being eyed by the coach for a potential reunion at Juventus. Spalletti is believed to be keen on bringing the Slovakian midfielder to Turin to elevate Juventus’s performance, especially if they secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming season.
Lobotka was instrumental in orchestrating Napoli’s midfield during their Serie A triumph in 2023. Calciomercato reports that Spalletti views Lobotka as the ideal recruit to propel Juventus to new heights.
However, any transfer is anticipated to be complex, given the fierce rivalry between Juventus and Napoli, who seldom engage in player exchanges. Lobotka has been a Napoli player since 2020, with his current contract extending to June 2027, including a club option for an additional year. This extension is contingent on him participating in at least 50% of official games during the 2026-27 season; otherwise, he would become a free agent.
The midfielder, who will turn 32 in November, experienced a season with fewer appearances than usual due to injuries, yet still managed 38 outings, scoring once and providing one assist.
Lobotka’s contract features a €25 million release clause, but this is only applicable to clubs outside of Italy and is valid until mid-July. This clause was incorporated into many Napoli contracts following Juventus’s acquisition of Gonzalo Higuain, as a measure to prevent similar future occurrences.
Considering these factors, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is unlikely to sanction Lobotka’s move to Juventus, and the transfer fee would likely exceed €30 million.
While Lobotka’s agent previously alluded to difficulties with Antonio Conte’s demanding training regime, these remarks were later downplayed as a joke.