Napoli scotch Ronaldo links and rule out Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen deals in January sales

Napoli have dismissed the idea they could offer Cristiano Ronaldo refuge in January as the Serie A leaders insist they “don’t have to fix anything”.

Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli indicated the prospect of any major incomings or outgoings was remote, given Napoli are confident they have a strong group with the right balance.

He added that to “fly with the fantasy” would not be Napoli’s style this season, as they seek a first Scudetto since the 1989-90 season, when Diego Maradona was at the club.

Ronaldo could leave Manchester United in mid-season if a deal can be found that suits all parties.

His refusal to play as a substitute and early exit from the stadium last week against Tottenham led to United briefly banishing him from first-team duties, although the 37-year-old has since returned to the squad and looked set to play some part on Thursday against Sheriff in the Europa League.

However, Ronaldo’s former team Sporting CP have ruled out a move, and now Napoli, having been linked with Ronaldo in the last transfer window, are distancing themselves from a possible deal for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Giuntoli told Mediaset: “We are very far from the market. At the moment we are thinking only of everyday life, trying to improve continuously.”

Regarding Ronaldo, he said: “The January transfer market is one of repair and we don’t have to fix anything, so I really think we won’t do anything.”

That stance covers how Napoli are thinking regarding their exciting, young Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as well as striker Victor Osimhen.

Both have admirers in the Premier League, but Napoli are not minded to sell, at least for now.

Luciano Spalletti’s team head Serie A with 29 points from 11 games, and they have also won five out of five Champions League group games, beating Rangers 3-0 on Wednesday.

5/5 – Napoli have become the third Italian side to have won each of their first five group stage games in a single Champions League edition, after AC Milan in 1992/93 under Fabio Capello and Juventus in 2004/05, also under Capello. Overwhelming.#NapoliRangers #UCL

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 26, 2022

Giuntoli said: “Kvaratskhelia is doing well, like many others, and is absolutely non-transferable.”

According to Giuntoli, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is firmly behind the football staff’s plans for shaping the team to deliver success.

“The president is very happy with what we are doing, but like all of us he keeps his feet on the ground,” Giuntoli said.

“Football is made up of balance, we must not fly with the fantasy. We are curious to discover our limits.

“Our prerogative has always been to move using our heads, both outgoing and incoming, and I think that, sometimes more, sometimes less, we have always managed to set up a competitive team. We do nothing without first having heard the coach.”