An intermediary insists Bernd Leno could still join Napoli, but confirms negotiations have stalled over image rights.
The Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper’s agent told Bild that the Partenopei were “no longer an option” but the Italian intermediary working on the deal says it isn’t dead yet.
“It’s not certain that Leno will remain in Germany,” Fabio Parisi said on Radio Crc.
An intermediary insists Bernd Leno could still join Napoli, but confirms negotiations have stalled over image rights.
The Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper’s agent told Bild that the Partenopei were “no longer an option” but the Italian intermediary working on the deal says it isn’t dead yet.
“It’s not certain that Leno will remain in Germany,” Fabio Parisi said on Radio Crc.
“We’re well aware that there are difficulties relating to the contractual matters that Napoli impose on those who they sign, but we’re working on the problems.
“It’s not true that Napoli are no longer interested, but I think it’s difficult if things don’t change. However, the parties can come together and see if it’s still possible to do a deal.
“The obstacles to Leno’s arrival are well known and can’t be overcome easily, because image rights contracts involve multiple parties.
“The deal hasn’t collapsed, there are problems but there’s still a chance and we’re working to resolve the issues.”
The problem with signing Leno is a familiar one, as Napoli insist that players sign over their image rights when joining.
That means relinquishing any existing sponsorship deals already in place, something which has previously seen transfers to the San Paolo collapse.
Ordinarily a club would take on up to 50 per cent of a player’s image rights, allowing them to use that player in promotional material but also permitting the player to take on personal sponsorships.
For example, a player with a Nike sponsorship deal signing for a club sponsored by Adidas could be pictured in the Adidas shirt, as long as other players are present.
That player would then still be allowed to appear in Nike adverts.
Napoli insist on 100 per cent of a player’s rights, so the club is free to use the players’ images in any of their promotional material.