Napoli chief Cristiano Giuntoli confirms Arkadiusz Milik will be sold if he doesn’t agree a new contract, discusses alternatives and warns Kalidou Koulibaly’s price-tag won’t drop.
The director of sport spoke to Sky Sport Italia this afternoon, also confirming Dries Mertens will sign a new contract, while Jose Callejon has not yet made a decision.
Napoli chief Cristiano Giuntoli confirms Arkadiusz Milik will be sold if he doesn’t agree a new contract, discusses alternatives and warns Kalidou Koulibaly’s price-tag won’t drop.
The director of sport spoke to Sky Sport Italia this afternoon, also confirming Dries Mertens will sign a new contract, while Jose Callejon has not yet made a decision.
Milik has been repeatedly linked with a move this summer, including Juventus, Milan and Arsenal, as his contract expires in June 2021.
“The desire is to renegotiate his contract, so we are talking with his agents. The objective is to resolve the situation, one way or another. If he doesn’t want to remain, then he will go on to the transfer market.
“Players can remain as long as they do so with the right mentality. Napoli will go forward, with or without Milik.”
Giuntoli is already working on potential replacements for the Poland international and was asked about the candidates, including Victor Osimhen, Luka Jovic, Sardar Azmoun and Everton.
“They are all very talented and sought-after. If Milik should leave, we will go on to the transfer market to seek a player who is at the right level, whether young or experienced.
“When the club comes to talk with a player, I will be ready, as I’ve been doing my homework for the last two months. So far, we are at the classic request for information stage.”
Milik isn’t the only player who could be on his way out, as Koulibaly has again been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, PSG and Everton.
However, the reports that his €120m price-tag could drop to around €90m was rebuffed by Napoli.
“Kalidou is a great player, who still has a long contract with us,” added Giuntoli. “If we were to sell, the club could ask for a large sum. A player like this cannot change his value even in a crisis, so we are not moving our valuation.”
Hirving Lozano has struggled since arriving last summer and is again linked with an exit.
“There are still 10 games to go this season, so we’ll see what happens.”