Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon insists he “hasn’t spoken to anyone from Napoli”.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Partenopei this summer, after impressing in Bergamo this term.
“It’s nice to know that what I’m doing is appreciated, but I haven’t spoken to anyone from Napoli,” De Roon told Corriere dello Sport.
“I’ve read about this interest in newspapers, and my friends told me about it via text.
Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon insists he “hasn’t spoken to anyone from Napoli”.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Partenopei this summer, after impressing in Bergamo this term.
“It’s nice to know that what I’m doing is appreciated, but I haven’t spoken to anyone from Napoli,” De Roon told Corriere dello Sport.
“I’ve read about this interest in newspapers, and my friends told me about it via text.
“Obviously all players want to grow professionally, and Napoli is a great club, fighting Juventus for the Scudetto.
“I’m happy at Atalanta though, and I know I have a lot to learn. I can do that more quickly here in Bergamo, because Atalanta is the right club for me.
“I’m convinced that the best solution is to stay for another season, but these decisions are down to the club. I just have to do well on the pitch.
“Napoli are strong, and they have the best player in the League in [Gonzalo] Higuain. In the middle of the park too they’re no joke: Allan, Jorginho and then [Marek] Hamsik, a legend.
“There’s also my friend Alberto Grassi, who I got on well with in Bergamo.”
De Roon arrived in Serie A from Heerenveen this summer, and admits he initially found life difficult.
“In Serie A, tactics are crucial. First you think about paying attention to the defence and not giving your opponents any space, then attacking and playing well.
“The first thing that counts is winning, then entertaining football comes after whereas in the Netherlands if you win games playing badly people aren’t happy and they whistle.
“I had some difficulties at first. The first three weeks in the pre-season training camp I couldn’t speak a word of Italian so I couldn’t understand anything.
“[Jasmin] Kurtic and [Richmond] Boakye helped me, and I looked at what [Luca] Cigarini and [Giulio] Migliaccio, not because they have my style but because I didn’t want to miss their movements.”