Lobotka set for Napoli stay beyond 2027 as Allegri makes Slovakian midfielder untouchable again

Stanislav Lobotka has been convinced to commit his future to Napoli beyond 2027, with incoming coach Massimiliano Allegri having already made clear to the club’s hierarchy that the Slovakian midfielder is once again considered untouchable, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Lobotka’s current contract runs until 2027, but Napoli hold an option to extend it by a further year to 2028 – and the club have communicated their intention to exercise it, with talks over a longer-term renewal also expected to follow.

A release clause of €25 million does exist, valid only for foreign clubs and only during the first two weeks of July, but it requires the player’s consent to be activated. That consent now appears highly unlikely to be given.

The timing of Allegri’s arrival has proved decisive.

Two years ago it was Antonio Conte’s appointment that convinced Lobotka to stay; this time, the midfielder had reportedly been weighing his options, having found Conte’s demands on him physically taxing, used more as a box-to-box presence than the pure playmaker role in which he thrives.

Allegri is understood to want to manage Lobotka’s workload more carefully while still building the team around his vision and passing range.

Beyond the football, Lobotka‘s life in Naples has clearly played a role.

He arrived in January 2020 and struggled initially with the move and the isolation of the pandemic period, but has since become an idol of the Napoli support.

His partner Simona Leskovska has also embraced the city, regularly sharing posts from their favourite spots around Naples.

Having won two Scudetti, a Coppa Italia and a Supercoppa, and having worn the captain’s armband last season, Lobotka now appears settled on extending his stay on the west coast.