Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists he only asked about Romelu Lukaku’s situation, but “it’s in their interest to make it seem as if we made an offer.”
The Manchester United forward is torn between a swap deal with Juventus for Paulo Dybala and the long-standing Inter interest.
There were reports yesterday that Napoli had dived in with a proposal of cash plus Arkadiusz Milik, but De Laurentiis set the record straight.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists he only asked about Romelu Lukaku’s situation, but “it’s in their interest to make it seem as if we made an offer.”
The Manchester United forward is torn between a swap deal with Juventus for Paulo Dybala and the long-standing Inter interest.
There were reports yesterday that Napoli had dived in with a proposal of cash plus Arkadiusz Milik, but De Laurentiis set the record straight.
“You know why there are rumours about him? Because I am good friends with his agent, Federico Pastorello, who I often wake up at dawn for a chat,” the President told Sky Sport Italia.
“I asked him: ‘Do you think Lukaku would suit Napoli? Is he going to Juventus or not?’ We spoke in those terms, but then we know it’s in the interest of agents to make it seem as if we made an offer, as that raises the price-tag for someone else.
“This is why I’d prefer it if the transfer market opened the day after the season ended and closed at the end of July.”
De Laurentiis also discussed the bid for PSV Eindhoven winger Hirving Lozano, who is valued at €40m.
“In negotiations, when everyone knows there is a willingness to buy, they all try to get the best deal. We have to take the environmental factors into account, because signing a player means bringing his family over too.
“Naples is a beautiful city, but for someone who is accustomed to a very different lifestyle, it can be an overwhelming experience to come here. The fans don’t realise that.”