Matteo Politano’s agent has lambasted Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti for giving a ‘completely untrue’ version of events, insisting Valencia saw their ‘€10m offer rejected.’
The Italy international is pushing for a transfer this summer, leading to a rather tense situation in their pre-season training camp.
After Spalletti spoke at a press conference over the weekend, claiming Politano had “created the situation himself,” agent Mario Giuffredi took the microphone on Radio Marte to give his explanation.
“I am sorry for Spalletti, but it absolutely did not happen the way he said it did. He talks as if Politano demanded to be a starter, but that is completely untrue,” said Giuffredi.
“Politano was substituted at half-time in Napoli-Fiorentina, then didn’t start the next six consecutive games. At the end of the season, Spalletti told us those were his technical decisions and we respected them.
“We said that we didn’t feel the coach had full faith in the player and wanted to find some alternatives, the coach did nothing to keep him and said he would speak to the President. With that attitude, we were open to other situations. When the coach doesn’t trust you, it’s important to look elsewhere.”
The agent also hit back at director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli, who suggested Napoli could not sell Politano because no suitable offers had arrived.
“Valencia made an offer worth €10m and it was rejected because we were told that bid did not reflect the value of the player.
“I called Giuntoli myself. The behaviour and attitude of the coach towards Politano is fundamental here, because he should therefore be encouraged to remain, not be made the centre of pointless controversy during press conferences.
“Spalletti does not behave like someone who wants Politano to stay at Napoli. He hasn’t even spoken to Politano yet.”