Inter Milan are considering a move to sign Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne, according to Sky Italia, as the Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham target has failed to agree to a new contract.
Insigne is in the final year of his existing deal at the Stadio Diego Armanda Maradona and would be a free agent next summer. The Azzurri discussed new terms with the winger but talks reached a stalemate this week, with no resolution in sight.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis also failed to make a concrete proposal to Insigne’s agent, Vincenzo Pisacane. Now, Inter want to enter the market and capitalise on their Serie A rivals’ predicament ahead of the new season.
Inter intend to spend the rest of the week discussing internally a potential raid on Napoli for Insigne. The deal could be worth €25m (£21m), but the Nerazzurri must also consider the Euro 2020 winner’s high salary. He currently earns around €5m-a-year (£81k-p/w) before any bonuses, while Calciomercato report he wants it increased to €6m (£98k-p/w).
Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham will be paying close attention to Inter Milan’s interest in Napoli forward Insigne. Il Mattino cite Mikel Arteta’s side as an English destination, while Fabio Santini and Paolo Paganini claim Jurgen Klopp and Nuno Espirito Santo are also keen.
Inter Milan’s potential approach to Napoli for Insigne could pose a real threat to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, as well. Reports by Corriere dello Sport claim De Laurentiis wants €30m (£25.5m) to sell this summer. But would also accept an initial €25m (£21m) with the remainder in add-ons to avoid him leaving for free. A price Inter now seem willing to pay.
Insigne’s Napoli demands Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham’s saviour amid Inter pursuit?
Insigne’s wage demands to renew his Napoli contract may prove to be Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham’s saviour amid Inter’s pursuit. The Nerazzurri are working to overcome fierce financial problems this summer with some high-profile names leaving the San Siro.
Inter have already sold Achraf Hakimi and are in talks to sell Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea. But ESPN note their departures may not be enough to relieve the pressure their Chinese owners Suning have implemented. They are also open to offers for the Serie A champions.
So, Inter may struggle to pay Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham target Insigne what he feels he is worth at Napoli. A club the wing wizard scored 19 times and offered seven assists for in 35 Serie A fixtures last season. Boosting Spurs’ hopes the most, as Paganini added Manging Director Fabio Paratici made an ‘important’ offer for the 47-cap international.
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