Lorenzo Insigne’s former agent calls the potential move to MLS club Toronto FC a ‘lifestyle choice’ more than a career one when leaving Napoli for ‘exhibition football, not a proper competition.’
There are multiple reports from SportMediaset, Sky Sport Italia and more today claiming the Napoli captain has agreed a huge €10m per season net salary for five years with Toronto FC.
It is meant to be for June, when his contract with Napoli expires, but Toronto are pushing for a January switch with fee paid to the Partenopei.
Insigne to Toronto FC, latest updates: MLS side push for January move
He’d be following in the footsteps of former Toronto FC hero Sebastian Giovinco, although the 30-year-old’s possible switch to Major League Soccer is disappointing many in Italy, including Insigne’s ex-agent.
“It’s a lifestyle choice more than a career one,” Antonio Ottaiano told Radio Marte.
“A decision like this means playing a very different type of sport. It’s exhibition football, not a proper competition. We’d need to see what his priorities are, who he is getting advice from.
“Naturally, we Italians struggle to understand a move like this, yet Giovinco did it. Only those who are in this situation can understand how much the salary pushes them to accept or not.”
Insigne is only 30 years old and fresh from an impressive set of performances for Italy at UEFA EURO 2020.
He has attracted interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Inter, Lazio and Roma, but would be likely to leave Serie A rather than represent a rival to his hometown club Napoli.
Insigne contributed five goals and six assists in 18 competitive games for the Partenopei so far this season.