It’s now a near-certainty that Giovanni Di Lorenzo will not captain Napoli next season after his agent reiterated the right-back’s decision to leave. While confirming the 30-year-old plan to end his five-year association with the Partenopei, Mario Giuffredi played down speculation linking his client with Juventus.
Di Lorenzo held a crunch meeting with new Napoli boss Antonio Conte last week. That was Conte’s last-ditch attempt to convince the ex-Empoli defender to perform a U-turn on his decision to cut ties with the Diego Maradona Stadium outfit. But his effort came a cropper.
“It was a moment of cordiality. I explained to the coach the reasons that prompted our decision to leave Napoli,” Di Lorenzo’s agent told Sky Sport Italia. “Conte reaffirmed with determination his desire to keep Giovanni, just as we confirmed our intention to keep following that path.“
Di Lorenzo’s desire to leave has reportedly put Juventus on red alert. Rumors went as far as to say the new Bianconeri manager, Thiago Motta, made a phone call to persuade the Italy international to continue his career in Turin. However, the agent categorically denied such talks.
“I can say with no doubt that I never spoke to Juventus or Cristiano Giuntoli. Neither I nor the player have been contacted by anyone from Juventus,” he stated.
But he refused to rule out the possibility of the Napoli skipper joining the record-time Serie A champions.
“Besides, there’s nothing to say Di Lorenzo couldn’t go to a different club, it’s not as if only Juventus exist.“
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