Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that he rejected a
bid of €60 million "plus two or three players" from Atletico Madrid for
striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Higuain, 28, has been the subject of interest from Juventus and Arsenal and has a €94m release clause in his contract. However, it is Atletico, who are looking for a new striker this summer, who made the first move.
"The only offer for Pipita came from Atleti," De Laurentiis said of the Argentina international in quotes reported by AS. "Their president called me offering €60 million plus two or three players, but I told him it could not be, very calmly."
Juventus have also reportedly been in discussions this week, but De Laurentiis played down suggestions he would move to Napoli's Serie A title rivals.
"Gonzalo would be betraying himself," he added. "You cannot sing a love song to Napoli's fans in their stadium, and then put on the jersey of their worst rival. It would be absurd."
However, De Laurentiis did accept that it was not impossible that Higuain might leave, saying: "We will see if a replacement is needed. There is no problem, we also finished second without Higuain."
Higuain, 28, has been the subject of interest from Juventus and Arsenal and has a €94m release clause in his contract. However, it is Atletico, who are looking for a new striker this summer, who made the first move.
"The only offer for Pipita came from Atleti," De Laurentiis said of the Argentina international in quotes reported by AS. "Their president called me offering €60 million plus two or three players, but I told him it could not be, very calmly."
Juventus have also reportedly been in discussions this week, but De Laurentiis played down suggestions he would move to Napoli's Serie A title rivals.
"Gonzalo would be betraying himself," he added. "You cannot sing a love song to Napoli's fans in their stadium, and then put on the jersey of their worst rival. It would be absurd."
However, De Laurentiis did accept that it was not impossible that Higuain might leave, saying: "We will see if a replacement is needed. There is no problem, we also finished second without Higuain."
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