‘Proposal must be increased’ – Agent of Spurs target admits player rejected contract offer

Lorenzo Insigne’s agent has admitted that the winger has rejected Napoli’s latest contract offer, amidst rumours linking his client with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Insigne was linked with a move to Tottenham during the summer transfer window but he ended up staying put at Naples. 

However, the 30-year-old’s current contract runs out at the end of the season and he has not yet been able to agree on a new deal with the Serie A club so far.

Reports have suggested that the Italian international’s wage demands are the biggest stumbling block to negotiations over a new contract.

Spurs have been backed to reignite their interest in the experienced attacker when the transfer window reopens in January but Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli insisted last month that the club are determined to keep their captain at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Insigne’s agent Vincenzo Pisacane has now opened up the reasons behind his client’s decision to reject Napoli’s contract offer.

He revealed that the club wanted the experienced winger to take a 50 per cent pay cut and stated that Insigne will not be putting pen to paper unless a suitable offer is made.

Pisacane told Il Roma (as relayed by Football Italia): “I’m hearing too many journalists saying Lorenzo rejected generous offers from Napoli and that De Laurentiis (Napoli owner) offered him the maximum he could.

“My relationship with De Laurentiis is great, but I must clarify that the contract offer comes with a 50% pay cut. I am an agent and I must defend the captain at any time.

“Usually, you offer more money when you want to extend a contract. Just see the treatment for players who extended before Lorenzo.

“Needless to say, Lorenzo was surprised [by Napoli offer]. We are always in contact with De Laurentiis. There is mutual respect with Aurelio, but he knows that the proposal must be increased and not cut.

“We are just at the beginning of negotiations and a few stupid fans are calling him a mercenary. I expect the club to take a step towards Insigne.

“Everyone has to make his part. I don’t want to affect the relationship between the club and us, but I am reading too much fake news and I had to clarify a few things.

“Insigne is a professional and is training well as if he had ten years left in his contract. Even Kalidou Koulibaly said he’s never seen so much commitment for somebody who could leave in June.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I would be surprised if Napoli do not strike a deal with Insigne sooner rather than later. Even if the parties do not come to an agreement, I would expect the 30-year-old to remain in Serie A rather than moving to the Premier League. Besides, Spurs evidently do not need a player of Insigne’s profile.

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