The gaps left by the pair have pushed the club towards what they view as both a necessity and an opportunity: a January move for Feyenoord captain Quinten Timber.
Timber, whose contract runs until 2026 but is steadily running down, has attracted interest from multiple European clubs. Napoli, however, face particularly strong competition from Arsenal - where his twin brother Jurrien already plays.
Despite this, the Italian side believe they hold a strategic advantage, knowing Feyenoord cannot afford to lose him for free and that January represents the most realistic window for a transfer.
Conte views Timber as an almost perfect fit for his midfield, which is built on power, aggressive transitions, and disciplined vertical play.
Timber's profile aligns closely with these demands: he is physically strong, technically secure, and possesses a tireless work rate.
He can tackle high up the pitch, break lines with confident passing, contribute directly to goals, and operate as a box-to-box midfielder, an aggressive ball-winner, or a late-arriving runner during transitions.
Since signing for Feyenoord in July 2022 for a club-record 8.5 million euros, Timber has become one of the Eredivisie's standout midfielders. His breakout arrived in the 2022-23 season, when he was central to the club's first league title in six years.
Appointed captain in 2024, he delivered 16 goal contributions in the following campaign and remained on the radar of Europe's elite even after suffering a knee injury in 2025.
