Napoli targeting Saint-Maximin deal: Fenerbahce termination required

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Jan 31, 2025 4:12 PM ET

Napoli are reportedly targeting a move for former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin as a potential successor to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but the Partenopei face a race against time if they are to complete a deal with his current employers, Al-Ahli.

Napoli are still on the lookout for a replacement for Kvaratskhelia, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in a €70m deal earlier in the January transfer window. There had been talks for Alejandro Garnacho and Karim Adeyemi from Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, but Saint-Maximin is the latest name to appear on the Partenopei wishlist.

Napoli require Fenerbahce and Al-Ahli agreements for Saint-Maximin

Saint-Maximin is currently out on loan in the Turkish Super Lig with Fenerbahce, which means that there are several administrative steps that need to be completed before the transfer window closes.

The player would first need to terminate his loan agreement with Fenerbahce in order to return to Al-Ahli before moving on to Napoli.

Additionally, the Saudi Pro League window closes at midnight on January 31, slightly earlier than the Italian window that shuts on February 3, and the Turkish window, which closes on February 11.

According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, that means that Al-Ahli need to terminate Saint-Maximin’s loan deal with Fenerbahce before the close of the Saudi transfer window on Friday night. They are still able to sanction a sale as long as the buying club’s window remains open.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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