ADL: 'Never Insigne to Barcelona'

By Football Italia staff

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis warns Lorenzo Insigne “will join Barcelona over my dead body” and discusses Pepe Reina’s future.

The fiery patron spoke to Mediaset Premium and Sky Sport Italia this evening about a range of subjects.

“It was complicated keeping Napoli together with all the actors of last season, without letting anyone leave and in fact bring other names in. More things will happen between signings and sales between today and tomorrow.

“Maurizio Sarri is an extraordinary Coach and if I had a director like that, I’d keep him for life. This will be a very competitive campaign, as all the big clubs have reinforced.”

Agent Mino Raiola, who hasn’t actually been hired by Insigne yet, suggested the Napoli forward should join Barcelona.

“Raiola can do what he wants, but he if he intends to bring Insigne to Barcelona, he’ll have to do it over my dead body,” replied De Laurentiis.

“Raiola is like an amusing cartoon character, he is very convincing and we get along well. I remember when he tried to take Marek Hamsik away and failed, in fact Hamsik is still with us 10 years later. Now he wants to take Insigne away, we’ll see if he manages it… I doubt it.”

The last week has been dominated by the Pepe Reina situation, as Paris Saint-Germain offered €5m plus another €2m in bonuses.

“I was not worried by the idea of losing Reina. He has a contract to next year, where did he want to go? He couldn’t move anywhere. I won’t lose Reina to get another goalkeeper, no matter how talented, who has not yet been tested at Napoli.

“Reina knows how to pass the ball perfectly to Insigne now, but next year he will turn 36, so we have to start thinking about who can replace him.

“Never say never, it’s possible Reina will agree a new contract with us, but being affected when there is still a contract doesn’t seem right to me. I don’t like to be poked and obliged to make certain moves that ought to be bilateral.

“He wanted to get a longer contract and I understand that, he has a family and has to plan our where to study. He received that offer from PSG, which I rejected, as was only right…

“He too will understand and perhaps we’ll go forward or the Reina era will end and he’ll go to PSG or wherever he prefers.”

Duvan Zapata does seem to be on his way out of Napoli for over €20m.

“Zapata is wanted by Sassuolo, Sampdoria, a Russian club, a German one and an English side. You’ll see that on the final day either nothing happens and Zapata remains at Napoli, which I would not be disappointed by, or there will be a last-minute bidding war.”

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