Espanyol snap up Napoli's Cyril Ngonge on loan with €15m option
The Belgian forward joins Espanyol on loan from Napoli until the end of the season, with the Barcelona club securing a €15m purchase option.
Espanyol have finally opened their winter transfer account, landing Belgian attacker Cyril Ngonge from Napoli on loan until the season’s end with a tidy €15m purchase option tucked in their back pocket.
Reinforcing depleted attack
The Catalan outfit have been desperate for attacking reinforcements after losing both Koleosho and Javi Hernández during this transfer window, with their situation made even more Adam and Eve (believe) by Javi Puado’s unfortunate injury layoff.
Ngonge, primarily a right-sided attacker who loves cutting in on his favoured left peg, brings versatility to the Blanquiazules, with the ability to operate across the frontline including as a central striker when needed.
Journey to Barcelona
The 25-year-old Belgian arrives after a brief spell at Torino, where he was on loan from Napoli. His stats might not jump off the page – just one goal and one assist in 20 appearances for the Turin side – but his overall contribution has been more substantial than the numbers suggest.
Ngonge’s CV includes:
- Napoli (where he won the Serie A title last season despite limited minutes)
- Torino (loan)
- Hellas Verona (where he showed his best form, earning his Napoli move)
- Groningen (Netherlands)
- RKC Waalwijk
- Club Brugge (where he developed as a youth player)
Hot property
The Belgian forward was apparently in high demand this January window, with Porto, Roma and fellow La Liga side Mallorca all reportedly showing interest before Espanyol secured his signature.
Currently valued at around €8 million according to market estimates, Espanyol have managed to negotiate what could prove a shrewd piece of business if Ngonge can rediscover the form that prompted Napoli to sign him from Verona in the first place.