Arkadiusz Milik is training alone at Napoli and will not be included in Gennaro Gattuso’s squad until January after failing to secure a move to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur or Newcastle United, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Less than four months ago, the rangy Poland international joined the likes of Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and, yes, even Diego Maradona in Stadio San Paolo folklore.
It was his clinically-dispatched penalty that secured victory for Napoli in the Coppa Italia final in June, with the most nail-biting of triumphs over Juventus ending the club’s six-year trophy drought.
But, like Maradona himself, Milik’s Napoli career looks destined to end in controversy.
The former Ajax striker has refused to extend a contract which is due to expire in the summer of 2021. Napoli had made it their mission to cash in before it was too late but, after missing out on a dream move to Juventus, Milik dug in his heels.
According to Naples-based journalist Ciro Troise, Milik turned down the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur as a £23 million back-up for Harry Kane.
He also snubbed Fiorentina while potential moves to Fulham or Newcastle also failed to materialise (Gazzetta dello Sport).
And Napoli are now taking their revenge.
Corriere claims that Milik will now be forced to train in isolation until January. He will not make a Serie A appearance for at least the next three months either, with Napoli refusing to play a man who has made it clear that he sees his future elsewhere.
Perhaps he should have taken up Tottenham’s offer after all.
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