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Last summer, there was a very public and disappointing transfer saga involving Napoli and Ciro Immobile. Another son of the city, many wanted to see him come home and help his boyhood team reach a new level. Heck, even Immobile himself wanted it to happen. Napoli seemed interested, but nothing ever came of it, with Immobile signing for Sevilla in Spain instead.
Now, Napoli may have a chance to right that wrong.
Immobile has hardly played for Sevilla all season long, with just three starts in the league and eight substitute appearances across all competitions. That's not what he thought he was signing up for, but with Unai Emery preferring Fernando Llorente and Kevin Gameiro for most purposes, Immobile has found playing time hard to come by.
With Immobile hoping to be part of the Italy squad for Euro 2016, he has to play more often, and according to rumors, he wants out -- and not only are Sevilla apparently willing to let him go out on loan, but Napoli are at the front of the line of teams who want to rescue him.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli and Sampdoria are among the most interested teams, as well as an English and Spanish team that have gone unnamed. You'd have to think that if Napoli put in an offer that's accepted, Immobile would come home in a heartbeat, but that will remain to be seen.
There is definitely a fit for Immobile at Napoli right now, with the partenopei in dire need of another forward to flesh out their attacking rotation. Jose Callejon has played approximately eight billion minutes this season because Maurizio Sarri is loathe to start both Manolo Gabbiadini and Gonzalo Higuain in a given match, as Gabbiadini is the only real center forward reserve Napoli have. And with the Italian spending the last month or so out hurt, we've seen experiments with Callejon or Lorenzo Insigne working as a makeshift center forward -- and that hasn't worked out so well.
Immobile would add a lot of security and versatility to Napoli's attack, as well as another much-needed presence off the bench. Whether he'd start enough to help propel him to Antonio Conte's squad is up for debate, but there's definitely a clear role and need for him in Naples. And on a loan, hopefully with a reasonable option to buy next summer, it makes sense for all parties as a January move.
Just get it done, Napoli. Don't hesitate this time. Bring Immobile home.