Record-breaking offer rejected outright
According to Corriere dello Sport, the proposed bid came despite a recent Football Benchmark valuation in May 2025 placing the club closer to €1.1 billion, meaning the American-led group was prepared to pay a substantial premium to acquire the Partenopei.
Key Points:
- Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has rejected a reported €2 billion takeover bid from a US-led consortium, despite interest far above the club’s estimated valuation.
- The bid was reportedly backed by Matt Rizzetta and included plans to develop a multi-sport and infrastructure project in Naples, but talks never reached formal due diligence.
- De Laurentiis remains firmly committed to the club he rebuilt since 2004, continuing to view Napoli as a long-term project rather than a sale opportunity.
- With ownership speculation settled, Napoli now shifts focus to appointing a new manager after Antonio Conte’s exit, with Maurizio Sarri linked but likely heading elsewhere.
Although speculation around a possible ownership change has been circulating in Naples for weeks, Aurelio De Laurentiis has remained firm in his stance. The film producer, who saved the club from bankruptcy in 2004 and restored it to the top of Italian football, continues to show no appetite for stepping away from a project he has led for over 20 years.
US-led consortium behind ambitious project
The group behind the bold proposal is reportedly led by Matt Rizzetta, the Italian-American president of Napoli Basket and Campobasso. He is also the founder and managing partner of Underdog Global Partners, a company focused on sports asset management and real estate development. The vision reportedly included a multi-sport structure in Naples, linking football with basketball and wider infrastructure investment.
Despite ongoing discussions over several months, the talks never progressed into formal due diligence. When approached while travelling to Philadelphia, Rizzetta declined to comment through his press office, saying he had “no comment” and was “unaware of the matter.”
A statement from Campobasso added: "President Matt Rizzetta, as often happens in the world of sport and international investments, is frequently contacted by different subjects and groups interested in developing opportunities in the Italian football scene and beyond. Some activities and evaluations, moreover, necessarily remain covered by non-disclosure agreements, as usually happens in operations of this type."
De Laurentiis doubles down on long-term vision
For De Laurentiis, turning down the €2 billion proposal reinforces his long-standing commitment to the club as it approaches its centenary. Since taking over after the 2004 collapse, he has rebuilt Napoli into a regular Champions League contender and a Scudetto winner, and continues to view himself as the “heart and soul” of the organisation.
Now 77, the president is prioritising the club’s long-term structure over any short-term financial gain. While he remains open to listening to interest, his consistent actions suggest that a full sale is still firmly off the table.
Post-Conte rebuild becomes next priority
With takeover speculation put to rest, attention now shifts to Napoli’s immediate sporting direction. A key priority for De Laurentiis is appointing a new head coach following the departure of Antonio Conte.
Maurizio Sarri initially emerged as the leading candidate, with Napoli reportedly offering him a two-year deal plus an option for a third season in a bid to engineer a return to the club. However, reports suggest he is now set to rejoin Atalanta, forcing De Laurentiis to reassess and explore alternative managerial options.
