Edinson Cavani says he’s never thought about leaving a Napoli side whom he now considers to be Scudetto contenders.
Edinson Cavani says he’s never thought about leaving a Napoli side whom he now considers to be Scudetto contenders.
The Uruguayan has been linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs given his scoring exploits at the Stadio San Paolo, but he’s still regularly rippling the net with the Azzurri.
“I’ve never thought about leaving Napoli because this championship is still one of the most beautiful, fascinating and difficult in the world,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“All of the teams battle and it is not right to call it a mediocre championship. Tactically speaking, you always find well organised teams on every pitch.
“It is always hard to change city and clubs, but if clubs really wanted me then they would have made Napoli an offer they couldn’t refuse. That didn’t happen…”
The 25-year-old has scored six goals in six Serie A games so far this season for an Azzurri side who sit joint top of the table with Juventus.
“This is the right year,” Cavani added. “It may seem odd, but the Super Cup defeat in Beijing to Juventus gave me the certainty that this would be our season.
“I was at the Olympics so I didn’t meet up with the squad until China. That was where I could make my first judgement on our strength. That is where I knew that we could be a great Napoli.
“Juventus are a solid side, but the difference between the two of us in that one game was made by the two players we had sent-off. That defeat really upset me.”
Cavani, who recently signed a new contract at Napoli which includes a €60m rescission clause, also spoke of his hopes to emulate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I train every day with the same intensity with the intention of getting to their level, they are two great players,” he added.
“€60m? Knowing that I am worth so much doesn’t affect me in the slightest. That’s a matter for the club and my agents.
“I train and play with the same motivation even if I was worth just 10 per cent of that figure.”