Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne has turned down a new contract offer from the Italian Serie A club. The news of the rejected contract offer was confirmed by his agent, VicenzoPisacane in a chat Italian media portal II Roma amidst transfer rumours linking him with a move to the Premier League.
Pisacane revealed that Napoli want Insigne to take a 50% pay cut from his £80,000 weekly salary for him to sign a new deal at the club.
Newcastle United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with a move for the Italian international who won the Euro 2020 tournament with his country. Insigne was an important player in the Italy attacker as they beat the Three Lions of England on penalties to win the tournament after the two teams scored a goal apiece at the end of 120 minutes.
Last month, Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli expressed his conviction that the long-term future of club skipper Insigne is with the Italian Serie A leaders. According to him, Napolicaptain Insigne won’t walk away from the club after ten years, 114 goals and 411 games.
Italian publication Calciomercato revealed that the new owners at Newcastle United are eyeing a cut-price deal for Insigne ahead of the January transfer window. The Italian forward has less than a year to run on his existing Napoli deal. His current contract with the Italian football club will expire at the end of this season.
The Everton interest in Insigne was confirmed by another Italian publication, Tuttosport. It was stated that the Toffees are leading the race for Insigne under the stewardship of former Napoli manager, Rafael Benitez. Everton appointed Spanish tactician Benitez in the summer and his choice didn’t go down well with the Everton fans.
Everton are at the forefront of the race to sign Insigne, but the recent appointment of Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur could change the situation in favour of the North London club.