Napoli Reach Agreement With Sporting Lisbon Winger Alisson Santos – But There’s A Problem
Napoli are now in talks with Sporting Lisbon over Alisson Santos.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 27 January 2026
Alisson Santos has reached agreement to join Napoli as club-to-club talks with Sporting Lisbon continue, according to reports from Italy.
The Partenopei are currently looking for further reinforcements in attack amid injuries and January departures.
Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang have left on loan, while David Neres’ recent ankle surgery will sideline him for around two months.
Napoli have signed Giovane from Hellas Verona but they aren’t done yet.
Alisson Santos: The sticking point between Napoli and Sporting Lisbon
Alisson Santos has given his availability to move to Napoli, with a proposed contract running until 2031, according to Nicolo Schira.
The Italian transfer expert then claimed Napoli are in talks to sign Santos on loan with an option to buy.
However, Sporting are pushing for an obligation to buy, rather than just an option. As a result, talks are ongoing.
#Napoli are working to sign Alisson #Santos on loan with the option to buy, but #SportingCP would like conditions guaranteed for a sale on a permanent deal (obligation). #transfers https://t.co/Bt2LABqlbH
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) January 27, 2026
Gianluca Di Marzio provided a different report in which he stressed that Sporting hold Santos in high regard.
He described the 23-year-old as ‘Sporting’s match-breaker, the classic 12th man who is doing so well in the green-and-white shirt.’
As a result, Sporting will not give Santos up so easily, but Napoli are doing their best to get a deal over the line.
Alisson Santos: Why Napoli want him
Alisson Santos is a 23-year-old Brazilian winger playing for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
He joined the Portuguese capital side from Vitoria in 2025 and has since featured regularly for the first team.
Santos has 29 appearances to his name for Sporting this season, along with two goals and two assists.
A right-footed wide attacker, he mainly operates on the left flank, where he uses his pace and agility to drive forward with the ball.
Santos has a lean build and good dribbling ability, helping him take on defenders and create space.
He has experience across Brazil and Portugal, including successful loan spells where he scored regularly in Portugal’s second tier before making his Sporting debut.
While still developing his end product at the top level, Santos’ speed, movement and attacking instincts mark him out as a dynamic wide threat.
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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