Antonio Cassano has taken aim at Napoli’s decision to bring in AC Milan’s Noah Okafor on loan instead of making a serious move for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Serie A champions offloaded Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain in a €75 million deal early in the winter transfer window, leaving Antonio Conte without his most creative attacker.
But rather than reinvesting in a high-profile signing, Napoli opted for a temporary fix, a move that Cassano believes signals a lack of ambition.
Speaking to Viva El Futbol via IlNapoli, Cassano backed Conte’s frustrations with the club’s inactivity.
“I agree with what Conte said: either someone arrives who makes the difference, or it’s better to stay as is,” Cassano stated. “I don’t know what Napoli’s philosophy is now, but I’m convinced that the coach has an idea: with a player of a certain level, you win the championship.”
Lookman would have made Napoli unstoppable
Cassano believes Napoli should have activated Lookman’s €55 million release clause to secure a forward capable of delivering in Serie A. He even suggested they could have used Giacomo Raspadori as part of the deal.
“So I say… you took 75 million, Lookman’s release clause (even if he’s injured now) is 55 million… you give them Raspadori and you take a ready player who makes the difference, knows Serie A, and Inter should be afraid. A huge mistake not to take a high-level player to replace Kvara.”
Lookman, currently sidelined with a knee injury, is expected back in late February, a period that could define Atalanta’s season.
