Napoli and Lazio could get out of their thorniest predicaments with one blockbuster deal. The Partenopei are far apart in the negotiation to extend Lorenzo Insigne’s contract. Instead, the Biancocelesti are fed up with Luis Alberto, who did not show up for the medicals. Maurizio Sarri would love to reunite with the Italian winger, even sacrificing the Spaniard, La Repubblica reports.
The trade belongs to the fantasy realm at this stage, but the two issues are real for the clubs. Insigne has one year left in his contract with Napoli. President Aurelio De Laurentiis asked him to take a pay cut, while the player wants to increase his salary. It could be tough to reconcile two very distant positions, Tuttosport reports.
Alberto was not present at the start of the pre-season activities. He is expected to arrive today or tomorrow, Radiosei informs. Lazio will fine him and see what his explanation for the delay is. The reason for his behavior could be the desire to get a richer contract rather than the will to bolt. He believes he should earn as much as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ciro Immobile, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
The midfielder will discuss with director Igli Tare and the rest of the management upon returning. Lazio will not sell him for a lowered sum despite the controversy, Gianluca Di Marzio indicated. Insigne had some of his best seasons with Sarri at the helm. De Laurentiis suggested that the captain would likely move abroad if he were to leave.