Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis reveals Rafa Benitez wanted Leandro Damiao instead of Gonzalo Higuain.
The Argentinian striker joined the Partenopei from Real Madrid, and has gone on to score 64 goals in 116 games, but the club’s President reveals the move almost didn’t happen.
“It was our [the club’s] intuition to take him to Napoli,” De Laurentiis told Radio 24.
“Benitez wanted to take Leandro Damiao, but after meeting with the Brazilian’s agent we had doubts.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis reveals Rafa Benitez wanted Leandro Damiao instead of Gonzalo Higuain.
The Argentinian striker joined the Partenopei from Real Madrid, and has gone on to score 64 goals in 116 games, but the club’s President reveals the move almost didn’t happen.
“It was our [the club’s] intuition to take him to Napoli,” De Laurentiis told Radio 24.
“Benitez wanted to take Leandro Damiao, but after meeting with the Brazilian’s agent we had doubts.
“So I flew to Madrid to understand if it would be possible to get Pipita [Higuain], later I met his father and we got the deal done.
“Now he’s happy at Napoli, and you can see that from the fact he’s still here despite the many offers we’ve received.”
De Laurentiis also discussed the differences between Benitez and current Coach Maurizio Sarri.
“Maurizio Sarri is more of a coach than Benitez, in terms of training rather than theory. The Spaniard is a theorist, and tries not to disturb the atmosphere in the dressing room.
“The former Empoli man, however, is known to have a direct relationship with the players. There’s nothing worse [for him] than not being understood.”