Sam Beukema is ready to become one of the most sought-after protagonists of the next summer transfer market. The Dutch defender, currently playing for Bologna, has ended up in the sights of two of the big names in Italian football: Inter and Napoli. According to what was reported by the Neapolitan newspaper Il Mattino and taken up by FCInterNews , both clubs are ready to do battle to secure the performances of the class of ’98, coming off an extraordinary season from every point of view.
Having arrived at Bologna in the summer of 2023 from AZ Alkmaar, Beukema immediately won the trust of Thiago Motta, becoming a key player in the Rossoblu defence. Even with Vincenzo Italiano on the bench, the Dutch centre-back has been able to confirm himself at a high level, showing solidity, tactical intelligence and a notable ability to lead the defence with personality. His constant growth has contributed significantly to Bologna’s surprising journey, which achieved a historic qualification for the Champions League and won the Coppa Italia, beating Milan 1-0 in the final, with Beukema a starter and absolute protagonist.
His performances have not gone unnoticed and now two Serie A giants are fighting over his registration. Napoli, in particular, seem to have identified Beukema as the ideal profile to reinforce a defence that has shown many weaknesses in the last season. With a new technical guide expected for the summer and the goal of returning to compete at the highest levels, the Neapolitan club considers the 26-year-old as the number one priority in defence. According to Il Mattino , Beukema has leapfrogged other names on the list of Aurelio De Laurentiis and his managers, such as Oumar Solet and Pietro Commuzzo, becoming the main transfer target for the defence.
But the operation will not be easy, because Inter is also ready to step forward. The Nerazzurri, fresh from a dominated Scudetto and projected towards a new winning cycle, are working on renewing their defensive line. With Acerbi and de Vrij approaching the end of their careers, the Nerazzurri management is looking for a defender capable of taking up their legacy. Sam Beukema represents, in this sense, a perfect option: young but with experience, accustomed to the Italian championship, a winner and with still ample room for growth.
Inter’s interest in Beukema is no coincidence. Marotta and Ausilio have been monitoring the central defenders market for some time and see the Dutchman as a profile compatible with Simone Inzaghi’s playing system. His physical and technical characteristics, combined with the maturity shown in a competitive context like Bologna, make him an ideal candidate to quickly integrate into the Nerazzurri group. Furthermore, Inter boasts excellent relations with the Rossoblu club, an element that could facilitate negotiations.
On the other hand, Napoli seems willing to make a concrete and important offer to get ahead of the competition. The Neapolitan club, which will probably have to give up some of its current defenders, is determined to include Beukema in its technical project and would guarantee him a central role in the team’s rebirth. The possibility of playing as a starter in a hot and ambitious place like Napoli, together with a clear sporting project, could represent a decisive factor in the player’s choices.
At the moment, Beukema has not spoken publicly about the market rumors that concern him. Focused on the final part of the season with Bologna, the defender is continuing to work with professionalism and dedication, leaving it up to his agent and the managers of the interested clubs to manage the negotiations. But it is clear that his future will be one of the hot topics of the summer: with two suitors of the caliber of Inter and Napoli ready to compete, everything points to a heated auction.
Much will also depend on Bologna’s demands, which has no intention of selling off one of its jewels. With a contract still long and the European showcase it has just conquered, the Emilian club will sit at the negotiating table only in the face of a suitable offer, aware of the value of a player who has attracted the attention of top Italian and foreign clubs.
The transfer market hasn’t officially started yet, but the challenge between Inter and Napoli for Sam Beukema is already in full swing. And with summer just around the corner, it’s not out of the question that this duel could be just the beginning of a larger confrontation between two clubs determined to strengthen themselves and become great again, on and off the pitch.
