Lorenzo Insigne’s agent Vincenzo Pisacane has admitted the winger has rejected Napoli’s most recent contract offer amid interest from Premier League trio Everton, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to Il Roma.
Speaking three weeks ago, Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli insisted the club’s long-serving captain had no interest in walking away from the Stadio San Paolo after ten years, 411 games and 114 goals in the sky blue of the current Serie A leaders.
But unless Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is willing to meet Insigne’s demands, there’s a real chance a legendary figure will ride off into the sunset when his contract expires in the summer.
According to Calciomercato, Newcastle’s new owners are eyeing a bargain deal for the Italy international and Euro 2020 champion.
Tuttosport believes Everton, under the stewardship of his former Napoli coach Rafael Benitez, are leading the chase as things stand, although the appointment of ex-Italy boss Antonio Conte may have given Tottenham’s hopes a timely shot in the arm.
Could Everton, Tottenham or Newcastle sign Insigne for free?
“I’m hearing too many journalists saying Lorenzo rejected generous offers from Napoli and that De Laurentiis offered him the maximum he could,” Pisacane explains, via Football Italia.
According to the agent, however, Napoli want Insigne to halve his current £80,000-a-week wages.
“I must clarify the contract offer comes with a 50% pay cut. I am an agent and I must defend the captain at any time. Usually, you offer more money when you want to extend a contract. Just see the treatment for players who extended before Lorenzo.
“Needless to say, Lorenzo was surprised (by Napoli’s offer). (De Laurentiis) knows the proposal must be increased and not cut.
“Insigne is a professional and is training well as if he had ten years left on his contract. Even (defender) Kalidou Koulibaly said he’s never seen so much commitment for somebody who could leave in June.”
Insigne hasn’t allowed uncertainty over his future to distract his on-pitch displays. He has produced five goals and four assists for a Napoli side that has won ten and drawn two of 12 Serie A games under manager Luciano Spalletti.
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