Report – Napoli Sporting Director ‘Obsessed' With Inter Milan Owned Spezia Loanee & Serie B Second-Best Goal Scorer
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has placed a watchful eye on rising Inter Milan star Francesco Pio Esposito.
Per Il Mattino via FCInterNews, Manna has an 'obsession' with the Spezia loanee after an incredible season in Serie B.
Advertisement
Francesco Pio Esposito has made a name for himself at Stadio Alberto Picco this term.
Even though Spezia failed to secure automatic promotion to Serie A, he has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Despite being only 19 years old, Esposito has been among Serie B's standout performers.
Indeed, only Sassuolo's Armand Lauriente (19) eclipsed his 18-goal haul in Italy's second-tier competition.
Napoli Chief Keen on Inter Milan Starlet Francesco Pio Esposito After Dream Season at Spezia
RIMINI, ITALY – MARCH 19: Francesco Pio Esposito of Italy U21 during the Italy U21 Training Session on March 19, 2024 in Rimini, Italy. (Photo by)
Esposito's rise to stardom at Spezia hasn't gone unnoticed.
The youngster recently put pen to paper on a new contract at San Siro.
Advertisement
However, his future remains uncertain, with Napoli displaying a genuine interest to take him to Stadio Diego Maradona.
Manna is particularly interested in luring the Italian prodigy to Naples.
Indeed, the Partenopei could miss out on Jonathan David's signature.
With the club ready to offload Victor Osimhen permanently in the summer, they're on a hunt for a new striker.
Esposito fits the bill, considering he's an Italian up-and-comer and has tremendous potential to become a superstar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
French Open results: Jannik Sinner advances to semifinal, Novak Djokovic battling
Young star Jannik Sinner and bona fide future legend Novak Djokovic were in the limelight on Wednesday as they took on their respective competitors in the French Open quarterfinals. Sinner, who was yet to drop a set at Roland Garros this year, looked to continue steamrolling the competition against Alexander Bubik. Later in the day, decorated veteran Djokovic will take on 28-year-old Alexander Zverev of Germany. Advertisement It took an entertaining three sets for Sinner to overcome Bubik. Despite being unranked, Bubik shocked many by making it to the last eight competitors in the tournament. Jannik Sinner stays perfect and moves forward Jannik Sinner defeated Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in the French Open quarterfinals (REUTERS/Lisi Niesner) (REUTERS / Reuters) Sinner showed why he is ranked No. 1 at Roland Garros with a display of dominance and heart against Bubik. The 23-year-old got off to good start and quickly established an early 4-0 lead. He would take the set with ease, 6-1. The second set began with the two competitors in a 1-1 deadlock. After scoring a consolation point in the first, Bubik put up an early fight with a 2-1 lead. Bubik, 27, led the cat and mouse between them throughout the second — edging away whenever Sinner tied the score. Advertisement But momentum changed when Sinner broke the 5-5 tie as the set dragged on. While it took some work, the Italian took the set, 7-5. Bubik appeared to be tapped out from the fight he put up in the second set, as Sinner cruised away to a flawless 6-0 set. Djokovic will take on Zverev at 2:15 p.m. ET.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jannik Sinner storms past Alexander Bublik to reach French Open semi-finals
Half an hour into his first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, Alexander Bublik pumped his fist to the sky and smiled widely. The source of the 27-year-old's joy, however, was not a blazing start to the biggest match of his career or the hope that he could take his run even further. He had simply won his first game. After the jubilation of breaking new ground in Paris, Bublik's fairytale came to a harsh end as he was picked apart by Jannik Sinner, the world No 1, who continued his march through the French Open draw with another relentless performance and a 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 win. Advertisement Related: Wildcard Boisson drinks in French Open fairytale run after reaching semis Five matches into his tournament, Sinner is still to drop a set. He has now won his past 19 matches at grand slam tournaments after his consecutive triumphs at the US Open and Australian Open. Sinner has also won 46 of his past 48 matches in all competitions. 'I'm just happy to be in the semis and see what I can do,' the Italian said. 'Last year I played a good match in the semis, so I'm proud to be again here. I wouldn't have thought to be here in this position since my comeback, so I'm very happy to take things like they are, and hopefully I'm ready. I just want to watch my side of the net, and then we see.' Following Lorenzo Musetti's quarter-final win against Frances Tiafoe on Tuesday, this tournament also represents the first time in the open era that two Italian men reached the semi-finals of the same grand slam event and the second time in history after Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola reached the French Open semi-finals in 1960. Advertisement The French Open is Sinner's second tournament since returning from his three-month doping ban. He reached the final of his first tournament back on home soil at the Italian Open. The confidence he gained in Rome has allowed him to take his game to another level in Paris, where he is attempting to win his first major title away from hard courts. 'It's not easy,' Bublik said. 'He's playing fast. He's playing smart. He's basically playing every match under two hours, so physically he's very at a top level, so it's not easy, as you can see. It's not only me who got bageled. I wish him all the luck. He deserves to be where he is. We are all going to wait for the final we all wanted.' Sinner has torn through his section of the draw in Paris, demolishing all opposition. In the third round, Jiri Lehecka similarly found himself celebrating a single game after trailing 6-0, 5-0. In round four, despite his tendency to lose his composure when things are not going his way, Andrey Rublev could only smile and accept his defeat to a superior player. Two days after Bublik upset the fifth seed Jack Draper with a spectacular performance, he was brushed aside by the Italian. 'That's a very positive week, but every fairytale comes to an end,' Bublik said. Sinner also reflected on the emergence of Loïs Boisson, the French wildcard who defeated the sixth seed Mirra Andreeva earlier on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals at the French Open in her first grand slam appearance. Sinner and Boisson warmed up together on Court Philippe Chatrier in the morning before their matches. Sinner noted that they both used to train at the Piatti Tennis Academy where they would sometimes practice together. Advertisement 'I saw her before the tournament in the gym in [stadium] Jean Bouin,' said Sinner. 'We talked a little bit about how things are, and she was very happy. Having a wildcard here, it's a special tournament for her, being French. I think the level she produces is amazing, no? Very consistent. Very clay-court style, with the forehand, a lot of topspin. 'Today it was raining, so I called the [practice] desk [to see] if there was some free spot, because I don't want to risk going on court without warming up. So we arrived here quite early. She said straightaway yes, and we hit some balls. It was a very consistent warm-up for a different game style for a woman, because the ball is quite high and quite spinny. Physically very strong. She deserves to be in the position where she is right now, and we wish her all the best for the future.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Report Vieira has given availability for Inter job
Reports in Italy claim that Genoa head coach Patrick Vieira has given his availability to take over from Simone Inzaghi at Inter, despite an ongoing attempt to lure Cesc Fabregas away from Como. Inter are searching for a new head coach following the confirmation that Inzaghi left his job via mutual consent on Tuesday. Advertisement The 49-year-old left three days after the 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, and is now expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. epa12148298 Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi walks past the trophy after losing the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano, in Munich, Germany, 31 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANNA SZILAGYI According to various reports over the last two days, Inter have been targeting a move for Como's Fabregas to replace Inzaghi. However, Como remain adamant that the Spaniard 'will not leave', while the coach himself claims that he is happy with the project in his current job. Other reports suggest that Inter are also looking at former midfielder Vieira and former Nerazzurri defender Cristian Chivu, currently head coach of Parma, as alternatives to Fabregas. Reports Vieira willing to take on Inter job GENOA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Patrick Vieira, head coach of Genoa, looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and Cagliari at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on November 24, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by) According to reports from Inter have already held initial talks with Vieira over their vacant head coach position. Advertisement Wednesday's update claims that the Frenchman has already shown a willingness to take over in San Siro. Gianluca Di Marzio, meanwhile, adds that there is a release clause that stands at €500,000 in Vieira's contract with Genoa. Vieira only joined Genoa as head coach in November, taking over from Alberto Gilardino with the team sitting one point above the relegation zone at the time. Crystal Palace's manager Patrick Vieira reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace in Manchester, Britain, 04 February 2023. EPA-EFE/ADAM VAUGHAN EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. The former Arsenal, Juventus and Inter midfielder guided the Grifone to comfortable safety, ending the 2024-25 season in 13th place, 12 points clear of the drop zone. Vieira also has coaching experience with Strasbourg in Ligue 1, Crystal Palace in the Premier League, OGC Nice, and NYCFC in MLS. He also spent four years with Manchester City in various roles, including as manager of the club's Elite Development Squad.
