Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis reveals Barcelona didn’t have the money for Kalidou Koulibaly, but ‘couldn’t say no’ when Chelsea made their offer, while he has harsh words for David Ospina.

The defender had one more year left on his contract and had been unable to negotiate an extension, especially as he was at first proposed only a massive pay cut.

“I let Koulibaly go because he asked me to,” De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

“Barcelona had come in, but they didn’t have the money because they are in debt. Then Chelsea came forward and we couldn’t say no to someone like Koulibaly, despite the fact I tried in every possible way to keep him, offering €6m per season net.

“But if a player wants a new experience at a prestigious club, in the biggest league in the world, you have to recognise what he’s given you and not put up walls.”

De Laurentiis was not so kind to goalkeeper David Ospina, hinting that he had rejected an extension only to move to Al-Nassr.

“The Napoli jersey has to be considered the same as your skin. Instead there are those who talk about getting a raise, despite already being privileged, and then go into a totally unknown league just for pure, hard cash then it’s upsetting because they showed a lack of attachment to the club.”

Fans have been critical of De Laurentiis and his cost-cutting approach, even heckling him in the street and booing his name when mentioned during the pre-season training camp.

“Napoli does not need to be fixed because Napoli is alive and kicking.”

One thought on “De Laurentiis: ‘Barcelona didn’t have Koulibaly cash’”
  1. is adl ok, so they never had 40m euros, but have bought raphina for what 60m euros, lewandowski 40m euros and thr in a battle with chelsea to get jules kounde for arounde 60m euros

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