Reported Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal target Arkadiusz Milik is set to leave Napoli this summer as he wants a ‘change of scenery’, coach Gennaro Gattuso has told Sky Italia.
With just one year remaining on the contract of a talented Poland international, the Serie A giants set their stall out early when it came to Milik’s future.
Speaking to Sky a month ago, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli admitted that the former Ajax and Bayer Leverkusen frontman would be placed on the transfer list if he didn’t sign a new deal.
In this day and age, with finances hitting rock bottom across Europe, even clubs like Napoli cannot afford to let a £40 million-rated player leave for absolutely nothing.
With the prospect of fresh terms looking increasingly unlikely, Gattuso has all-but confirmed that Milik will be taking his salmon-esque leap and ruthless finishing elsewhere during the upcoming transfer window.
“It’s difficult to find someone better than Milik,” the 2006 World Cup winner explains.
“However, when a player believes his time at a club is over and he wants a change of scenery, you have to listen to him.
“You can’t try to keep someone against their will, or it’s difficult to get them to listen or have the right mentality. You have to respect the wishes of the player.”
Goal reported last week that Tottenham are keen to bring Milik, who has scored 13 goals this season and netted the crucial penalty in the Coppa Italia triumph over Juventus, to England.
The 26-year-old could finally ease the burden on Harry Kane in attack though, having starred in a number ten role alongside Robert Lewandowski in the Polish national team, Milik would also give Jose Mourinho the option to field a two-man strikeforce.
TMW reported in May, meanwhile, that Arsenal were winning the race for his signature.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
