Conte to reunite with former Chelsea wonderkid after Lukaku deal

Tom Weber

• Updated: 20 Jul 2024 15:22 BST
• 3 min read

Antonio Conte has identified Billy Gilmour as a target for Napoli, according to a report.

The Italian tactician is keen to help the Serie A giants mount a title challenge next season after a pitiful defence of their 2023 Scudetto. Napoli had won the championship for the first time in 33 years before slumping to a 10th-placed finish last term.

Former Inter and Chelsea boss Conte has been hired to avoid a repeat of the previous campaign and he will be backed in the market by president Aurelio de Laurentiis. Napoli have already signed Alessandro Buongiorno, Rafa Marin, Leonardo Spinazzola and Matija Popovic.

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However, before they can proceed with their spending, they will first need to complete their biggest piece of business of the summer: selling Victor Osimhen. Talks with PSG are progressing an agreement may not be long in coming with the Nigerian keen on the move.

This transfer would unlock Napoli's main priority, which is reuniting Conte with Romelu Lukaku. The Chelsea outcast is waiting for Napoli and is willing to cut his salary in half to complete this move.

Conte wants Gilmour

However, the Belgian isn't the only familiar player Conte is keen on bringing to Naples. According to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, the Napoli coach has identified Billy Gilmour as a surprise target for his side.

The Scotland international currently plies his trade at Brighton, but he came through the youth set-up at Chelsea and knows Conte. It is claimed that Napoli will make a move for the 23-year-old central midfielder as early as next week.

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It is not yet clear what Brighton's stance on a potential sale of Gilmour is given that he has been a key player for them since joining from the Blues. The midfielder is under contract at the Amex until 2026 and has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €9.8 million.