American consortium tables €2bn Napoli offer
An Underdog Global Partners-led American consortium has tabled an offer of about €2bn for Napoli as the De Laurentiis family resists selling despite months of talks.
An American investor group has made an offer in the region of €2bn to buy Napoli from the De Laurentiis family, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.Underdog Global Partners (UGP) is leading negotiations on behalf of the consortium, with talks understood to have begun around six months ago as the investors seek to build on the club’s recent success and international profile, although they said: “We do not comment on rumour and speculation.”Napoli’s current ownership is understood to be holding a firm line that the club is not for sale, but the consortium has continued to push discussions and to explore whether a deal structure could address concerns raised by Aurelio De Laurentiis.De Laurentiis took control of Napoli in September 2004 after the club collapsed into bankruptcy and were competing in the third tier, then rebuilt them into a Serie A title winner, ending a 33-year wait for the Scudetto in 2023.His tenure has delivered two league titles, three Coppe Italia and a Super Coppa, a record that has made him the most successful owner in the club’s history as Napoli approach their centenary year.Sources said the proposal includes a commitment to invest in infrastructure, with a particular focus on the Stadio Diego Maradona and an ambition to privatise and redevelop the venue if feasible.Stadium control and matchday yield have become central themes in Serie A ownership strategies, with several clubs pursuing new builds or major renovations to grow commercial income through hospitality, premium seating and non-matchday events.UGP already has a footprint in the Italian market, holding a majority stake in Campobasso and having previously bought a controlling stake in Napoli Basketball, the city’s top-flight basketball team.The group’s long-term plan is understood to include a multi-sport platform that could combine Napoli’s football and basketball assets, while also positioning the consortium to apply for an NBA Europe franchise if a new league launches on the timeline currently being discussed across the sport.Any deal at the level being discussed would rank among the largest club transactions in European football and would crystallise a significant return for the De Laurentiis family relative to their acquisition cost.A sale would also add to the trend of North American capital increasing its presence in Serie A, where foreign ownership has risen in recent years alongside a broader push to modernise governance, commercial operations and infrastructure.The next step is whether the consortium can restart momentum after discussions stalled on several points, with De Laurentiis holding the leverage while Napoli remain competitively and commercially strong.