Arkadiusz Milik is one of the best strikers in the game according to Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso, though there is a very real chance that the Coppa Italia hero could end up at Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal this summer (DAZN, translated by Football Italia).
While it’s fair to say last week’s Italian Cup final will not live long in the memory, thanks in part to a goalkeeping masterclass from 42-year-old Gianluigi Buffon, that nail-bititng night at an echoing Stadio Olimpico will always hold a special place in Milik’s heart.
It was the Poland international who scored the decisive goal in the penalty shoot-out, sending one of the most vociferous fanbases in Europe into raptures as Napoli claimed only their third major prize since 1990.
With the reported Spurs and Arsenal target out of contract in 2021, however, there is a very real chance that Milik’s perfectly placed spot-kick will be his goodbye gift to the Partenopei.
Napoli have got used to replacing their star players on an almost annual basis.
But, as Gattuso points out, it will not be easy filling a void created by a striker of Milik’s quality.
“It’s not my money, so I don’t talk about (how much he could leave for),” said the AC Milan and Italy legend after Milik scored his 13th of the season during Monday’s 2-0 victory over Hellas Verona.
“Arek’s contract is running down, he knows that I see few centre-forwards out there who we’d consider an improvement on him. He knows the respect I have for him, both as a player and a man.”
Napoli are expected to accept bids of around £40 million for the ex-Ajax talisman, largely due to fears that he could walk away for a absolutely nothing 12 months from now (Calcio24).
Not for the first time, Partenopei director Cristiano Giuntoli made it clear yesterday that, unless Milik signs a new contract, then he will be placed on the transfer market this summer.
Great news for Arsenal and Tottenham. Not so much for Gattuso.
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