Napoli And Roma Enter Moris Valincic Race Amid Inter And AC Milan Interest
Moris Valincic is in high demand among Serie A's elite.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 14 January 2026
Napoli and Roma are both tracking Dinamo Zagreb right-back Moris Valincic, a player also linked with AC Milan and Inter.
Reports in Italy say the two Serie A clubs are already looking ahead to June, when a deal could be easier to complete than in January.
Valincic has previously been linked with the two Milanese sides, but Napoli and Roma are now thought to be at the front of the queue.
Why Moris Valincic is on Napoli and Roma radar
Moris Valincic is a 23-year-old right-footed defender who mainly plays at right-back.
However, he can also operate as a wing-back in a system that asks him to push forward.
Napoli are looking at options on the flank as they plan for next season. They see Valincic as a player who could develop quickly in Serie A.
In addition, the Scudetto holders are eyeing alternatives to Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who will be turning 33 this year.
Roma, meanwhile, are also monitoring the right side in pursuit of athletic full-backs who can run, cross and recover fast.
Moris Valinčić’s agent, Adrian Aliaj, believes the defender will become one of the biggest sales in HNL history:
“The transfer fee will be as high as someone is willing to offer, but if you ask me in general terms, Valinčić’s price is between €16-18M. I believe we can reach… https://t.co/6j4APiwMC3 pic.twitter.com/jSoW0XuHwY
— TheCroatian (@TheCroatian_) December 17, 2025
Like Napoli, Roma are eyeing a potential replacement for one of their players, namely Zeki Celik.
The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and appears likely to leave the Stadio Olimpico.
Everton eyed Celik last year and, considering the Friedkin links, they could well re-emerge as suitors this year.
Valincic appeals as he can defend one-on-one, but also has the engine to support attacks when Dinamo play wide.
His tactical versatility, combined with the room for growth he still has, make him an intriguing target for Italian clubs.
Valincic’s agent recently spoke of the player being worth €16-18m.
Moris Valincic: what happens next and what could shape a deal
Napoli and Roma are reportedly preparing to approach Moris Valincic in June rather than rushing a bid through in January .
That could suit Dinamo too, because selling in summer gives them more time to find a replacement and plan their squad.
In addition, Valincic has had some fitness issues of late, missing over 10 games this season due to an ankle sprain.
If he returns strongly and finishes the season well, his price could rise and attract more competition from bigger clubs.
For Roma, the summer window is often tied to sales. This means their plans may depend on who leaves and how much money is raised.
And for Napoli, the attraction is a younger defender who could grow into the role, rather than paying top-level fees for an established name.
However, Inter have been mentioned before, amid links to right-sided options in wake of Denzel Dumfries’ injury.
More recently, Calciomercato spoke of Milan having shown an interest in Valincic alongside Inter.
With that in mind, Napoli and Roma may want to consider moving earlier for Valincic.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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