Parma’s sporting director has suggested that Sebastian Giovinco can be considered at least equal to Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Parma’s sporting director has suggested that Sebastian Giovinco can be considered at least equal to Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Pietro Leonardi was asked on Tuesday of the possibility of the Atomic Ant moving south to the Partenopei has a hypothetical replacement for Lavezzi, who has often been linked this season with a potential departure.
“Giovinco to Napoli? I think Sebastian is not inferior to Lavezzi,” suggested Leonardi to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Giovinco is likely to be starting for the national team tomorrow night and he has made more goals than the Argentine, so I do not think he can be considered as just a substitute for Pocho.
“I think the market will always belong to those who buy, if there is an interested club prepared to make that investment [on Lavezzi and his buyout clause] then fine, but I think there is the simple desire of the Neapolitan club and of Lavezzi for him to stay in the Azzurro shirt.
“The buyout clause for many teams in Europe is not insurmountable. Very few clubs can afford him, but those that can do not need the clause to take a player or not.”
The diminutive duo will face off next weekend when Napoli visit the Ennio Tardini for the Sunday lunchtime kick-off. The match is also another reunion between Parma Coach Roberto Donadoni and one of his former teams.
“Knowing Donadoni, I won’t dampen the spotlight, but for him every game needs to be addressed in a particular way, the work he is doing at Parma is very important, you’ll have to wait a little longer for a comparison with his former team.”