MILAN, ITALY – MAY 09: Sam Beukema of Bologna FC gestures during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italian striker Stefano Beltrame, a former teammate of Sam Beukema at Go Ahead Eagles, is convinced that the new Napoi signing will take another step forward at the Stadio Maradona in 2025-26: ‘ He has no equal in terms of competitiveness.’
Bologna defender Beukema is set to join Napoli in a deal exceeding €30m, becoming the third summer signing of the defending Serie A champions.
Product of Juventus Academy Beltrame, now a 32-year-old striker for Biellese, spoke about the Dutch defender in an interview with Il Mattino.
Beukema ‘has no equal in terms of competitiveness’
“He’s a really good guy, but when he’s on the pitch, he has no equal in terms of competitiveness,” Beltrame said via TMW.
“He was already a strong and modern defender back then. He’s good with the ball at his feet and very intelligent.
“He has character and doesn’t let anyone walk over him. In fact, when there’s a need to lay down the law, he does. He became a regular starter in the second season and kept getting better.”
Napoli won their second Serie A title in three years last season, and most sports betting websites see the Partenopei are the favourites to lift the Scudetto again in 2025-26.
Napoli have retained Antonio Conte despite reports of a possible return to Juventus in May, while all their direct rivals, except the Old Lady, have changed coaches.
“What upsets me is that, just a month before the end of the season, there were talks of me going to Juventus, suggesting I could leave Napoli,” Conte said in June.
“I had no agreement whatsoever with Juventus. To anyone who tried to approach me, I said, ‘I won’t speak to anyone until I’ve talked with President De Laurentiis.’”
Inter went from Simone Inzaghi to Cristian Chivu, Milan replaced Sergio Conceiaçao with Massimiliano Allegri, while Roma hired Gian Piero Gasperini.
Beukema will become Napoli’s third summer signing after Luca Marianucci and Kevin De Bruyne. Beukema will undergo medical tests with the Partenopei this week.
Napoli the ‘right environment’ for Beukema
“Napoli is the right environment for him because it will help him take another step forward compared to Bologna,” Beltrame concluded.
“No offence to Rossoblu fans. He’ll get along with Conte, and there will be an instant chemistry with Leonardo Spinazzola.”
Napoli are still looking for two attacking wingers and a centre-forward to complete their team for the 2025-26 campaign.
Beukema, 26, has made history at Bologna by winning the 2024-25 Coppa Italia. He has also made 65 Serie A appearances with the Rossoblu, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
Napoli begin their 2025-26 Serie A campaign away at Sassuolo on August 23.
Image:Getty
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