Napoli defender Gutierrez has flown to Germany to complete a move to Bayer Leverkusen, according to multiple Italian reports. The player is set to undergo medical tests and sign his contract with the Bundesliga club.
Corriere dello Sport reports that Gutierrez left Napoli's training camp to travel to Germany for the medical examination and final paperwork. The deal is valued at €30 million, according to La Repubblica. Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director has also confirmed the transfer is close, telling Fantacalcio that "Gutierrez is arriving from Napoli, we're there."
The move has been in the works for several days. Il Mattino noted that Gutierrez was absent from Napoli's pre-season training camp as the two clubs worked through the final details of the sale. German media outlets have also reported that the agreement was reached and that the medical would take place at the start of the week, according to Virgilio.
Gutierrez's departure marks a significant change for Napoli's defensive line. The 25-year-old had been a regular part of the squad, and his exit will leave a gap that the Serie A club will need to address before the transfer window closes. Napoli have not yet announced a replacement, and it remains unclear whether they will move quickly to bring in another defender or rely on their existing options.
The transfer also represents a notable investment for Bayer Leverkusen, who have identified Gutierrez as a key addition to their backline for the upcoming season. The Bundesliga side have been active in the market this summer, and this signing would be one of their more expensive moves.
All eyes will now be on the medical results. If everything goes smoothly, Gutierrez is expected to sign a multi-year contract with Leverkusen, and Napoli will bank the €30 million fee to reinvest elsewhere.
