‘Wants to stay’: World class ace doesn’t want Newcastle or Everton move

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Lorenzo Insigne “wants to stay” at Serie A leaders Napoli, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has told Sky Italia in what will be a blow to Premier League rivals Everton and Newcastle United.

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After ten years, 408 games and 112 goals in the sky blue of Napoli, Insigne has a decision to make. Does he commit himself to the current league leaders, tying himself to the Partenopei for the remainder of his peak years?

Or does he take on a new challenge in a new league at the age of 30?

After playing a key role in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, Insigne finds himself in a position of strength, with offers aplenty on his coffee table.

Tottenham Hotspur were reported to have made a bid in July – is there a Serie A star Fabio Paratici hasn’t been tipped to sign? -–while a reunion with former Napoli coach Rafa Benitez at Everton has also been mooted (Il Napoli Online).

According to Calciomercato this week, Uniteds Manchester and Newcastle have made their interest known too.

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So, with just seven months remaining until his contract expires, Giuntoli’s comments should ease the concerns of Napoli supporters who fear the departure of a man who, perhaps more than anyone, embodies the spirit of the legendary Diego Maradona at the stadium named after him.

“Insigne is our captain and we want him to stay here,” said Giuntoli. “He too wants to stay. The club has its parameters and he doesn’t let himself be disturbed by market rumours.”

It’s believed Insigne, who scored 19 goals last season from the left-wing, would demand a signing-on fee of about £6 million at his next club.

Some have claimed Insigne’s agent, Vincenzo Pisacane, held talks with Inter Milan recently but Giuntoli insists that isn’t the case.

“If Pisacane had gone to Inter (to talk about) Lorenzo, he would have done it in another way, in a more delicate way and not so much in the light of the sun. Obviously, he went (to Inter) for something else.”