Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists Piotr Zielinski was not cut from the UEFA squad out of ‘revenge’, then reveals what went wrong with Radu Dragusin and Nehuen Perez negotiations.
The patron made the unusual step of joining coach Walter Mazzarri at the press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A match against Hellas Verona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
He was there to discuss the activity in the January transfer window and the controversial decision to exclude Zielinski from the Champions League squad after it became clear he would let his contract run down to join Inter next season.
“We had to keep into account all the restrictive components for squad lists that are not our fault,” said De Laurentiis.
“At a certain point, we had to leave Zielinski out. We know perfectly well what he is capable of giving to the team, but the fact remains, he will not be our player after July. So we need to focus on the real investment and that means Hamed Traore, as we must work out whether or not to activate the release clause.
“This is what investment is about rather than seeking victory at all costs. I have to learn from the errors of the past and the things that did not work.”
However, De Laurentiis is adamant this is not punishing Zielinski for deciding to let his contract run down to join their Serie A rivals Inter.
“I read some said this was revenge, but absolutely not. I already said, he is a splendid person, a good lad and a top level player. However, decisions have been made, so seeing as he will not be with us from July, we must use this time to evaluate possible opportunities.
“We had wanted to do the same with Dendoncker, but there was unfortunately no room for him in the squad.”
While Napoli were very active indeed in January, bringing in Hamed Junior Traore, Leander Dendoncker, Cyril Ngonge and Pasquale Mazzocchi, they did not bring in a defender.
De Laurentiis hinted at the failed negotiations for Radu Dragusin, who went to Tottenham Hotspur, and Udinese’s Nehuen Perez.
“We only wanted a defender because Leo Ostigard was on his way out. I was after a Genoa defender, and I’d like to point out Genoa confirmed my offer was superior to all the others, but the player preferred England to Napoli and even Bayern Munich.
“At that point, we looked towards Mr Perez, I met with Gino Pozzo, but after three hours I had another meeting, so I said look, let’s just do a deal for €18m all-inclusive.
“Instead, they said we needed to also pay the club that formed the player, and the agent, and I got fed up and called it off. Meanwhile, Mazzarri had moved to a three-man defence, re-evaluating Ostigard too, and so why buy someone we don’t need?
“Besides, we also signed a midfielder who can play as a centre-back.”
De Laurentiis e l'esclusione di Zielinski: "Nessuna ripicca, ma da luglio non sarà più nostro…" https://t.co/KHey7k6o1J
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