Catanzaro Edge Toward Departures After Excluding Favasuli and Pompetti from Friendly

Catanzaro’s pre-season preparations took a clear turn on Wednesday when the club excluded midfielders Costantino Favasuli and Marco Pompetti from the friendly match against Swiss side FC Paradiso, played in Livigno. The omission is widely interpreted as a decisive step toward the pair’s departure, though the circumstances for each player differ sharply.

The friendly was part of Catanzaro’s summer training camp, but both Favasuli and Pompetti were not considered for selection. According to reports from TuttoMercatoWeb and local newspaper Gazzetta del Sud, the decision was not a disciplinary measure but rather a signal that the club is preparing to move on from the two players.

Favasuli close to Napoli switch

Costantino Favasuli, a 24-year-old midfielder, is the more straightforward case. The player is expected to join Napoli, with the deal reportedly awaiting only the final formalities. The source indicates that Napoli needs to complete a sale first — the departure of Jesper Lindstrom to Schalke is believed to be the trigger — before making a definitive offer to Catanzaro. The exclusion from the match was described as a “mutual stop” agreed between the clubs, a common practice when a transfer is imminent.

Favasuli had been part of the squad during the early stages of the summer retreat, but his absence from the Paradiso friendly suggests that the clubs are working to finalise terms. Napoli, preparing for the 2026-27 season, sees Favasuli as a squad rotation option, though the exact fee or contract length has not been disclosed.

Pompetti’s situation remains unresolved

Marco Pompetti, also a midfielder, faces a more complicated path. The 26-year-old requested a transfer earlier in the window, but subsequently changed his mind and attempted to repair relations with the club. According to the same reports, the initial request angered Catanzaro sporting director Giuseppe Noto, leaving the relationship strained.

Padova had been the only concrete destination in recent weeks, but that move collapsed. The exclusion from the friendly may therefore be a temporary measure — a “time-out” to allow both sides to reassess. The source stresses that nothing is finalised, and a reintegration into the squad is not ruled out. However, a prolonged standoff would benefit neither party, and the club appears to be leaning toward a fresh start without Pompetti.

The situation is fluid. Pompetti’s contract runs beyond 2026, but the transfer saga has already disrupted pre-season preparations. Catanzaro will need to resolve the matter quickly to avoid further distraction.

Implications for Catanzaro’s season

Catanzaro finished the 2025-26 Serie B season in mid-table, and the club is aiming to improve on that performance. Losing two midfielders at this stage of the window would require reinforcements, especially if Pompetti leaves as well. The club has not yet announced any incoming signings, but the departures would free up wages and possibly create room for targeted acquisitions.

For fans and followers of Italian football, the situation highlights the delicate balance between player ambition, club stability, and transfer market realities. The coming days will be decisive: Favasuli’s move to Napoli seems only a matter of timing, while Pompetti’s future could go either way.

What to watch next

The immediate focus is on Napoli’s ability to move Lindstrom to Schalke, which would unlock the Favasuli transfer. For Pompetti, the next few days should reveal whether Catanzaro is willing to reintegrate him or push for a different solution. No formal offers for Pompetti are known to be on the table at this stage.

Catanzaro’s pre-season continues with additional friendlies scheduled before the Serie B kick-off. The club’s transfer activity in the final weeks of the window will be closely monitored by fans and pundits alike.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb – “Catanzaro, tiene banco la questione legata a Pompetti: escluso dall’amichevole col Paradiso” (https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-b/catanzaro-tiene-banco-questione-legata-pompetti-escluso-amichevole-paradiso-2258535)