Empoli director Marcello Carli confirms Juventus and Napoli are interested in Riccardo Saponara, but “€15m is not enough.”
The creative midfielder arrived in January on loan from Milan and they have already activated the option to buy for just €4m.
As part of that deal, the Rossoneri will receive 30 per cent of a future transfer.
Empoli director Marcello Carli confirms Juventus and Napoli are interested in Riccardo Saponara, but “€15m is not enough.”
The creative midfielder arrived in January on loan from Milan and they have already activated the option to buy for just €4m.
As part of that deal, the Rossoneri will receive 30 per cent of a future transfer.
“We consider Riccardo to be one of the fundamental elements of our squad and have no economic problems, so to release him we’d need a really tempting offer,” director of sport Carli told Radio Crc.
“€15m? That’s not going to be enough. It’s a shame nobody is focusing on the fact Empoli want to keep him for another year.
“We only spoke to Napoli once about Saponara, when they were discussing the Mirko Valdifiori move. We might meet with them again.
“Maurizio Sarri’s presence as Napoli Coach could well influence Saponara’s decision, as he was fundamental in helping the player to develop.”
While Napoli are known to be tracking Saponara, Carli confirms there is credence to the reports about Juventus too.
“We already finalised the Daniele Rugani deal with Juventus and the interest from the Bianconeri in Saponara is true, but we haven’t had any genuine negotiations about him. I don’t know if there ever will be.
“As of today, Saponara is entirely an Empoli player.”
Carli did state that a replacement for Luigi Sepe – on loan from Napoli – has already been found in the form of Roma understudy Lukasz Skorupski.