Luciano Spalletti confirms Dries Mertens has left Napoli, along with Lorenzo Insigne, Kalidou Koulibaly and others, but assures ‘more will come, let us stay united’ amid protests from fans.
The coach spoke on stage at the Dimaro pre-season training camp and his comments were almost drowned out by protests, particularly one very angry supporter who heckled him repeatedly.
The reason was the exit of so many star names and Spalletti listed Mertens in amongst those who have left, suggesting negotiations to give him another contract have fallen apart.
“Some players have left and they take things with them, players like Ospina, Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Mertens, Insigne, so they take with them many things.
“Others – shut up! Others have arrived and bring with them new enthusiasm, more will come and bring with them more enthusiasm. Can someone shut that guy up, please?
“This is football. This is football, but what we cannot lose is your support and enthusiasm, because that is irreplaceable and cannot be bought.
“So let us stay united and Forza Napoli.”
The tension is growing on the day Koulibaly completed his transfer to Chelsea, as when mentioned by the host, President Aurelio De Laurentiis was loudly jeered.