Agent confirms Gonzalo Higuain has turned down new deal at Napoli
Gonzalo Higuain’s agent has confirmed that the player will not be renewing his contract with Napoli, The Guardian reports. The Argentine international was handed a one-year contract extension to his existing deal which runs till 2018, but his agent said that they won’t be accepting the deal which he described as “not a real offer.”
Football Italia had reported on July 25 that Napoli supremo Aurelio de Laurentiis had met with the player’s brother and father in an attempt to persuade the former Real Madrid player to sign a contract renewal. His agent, Nicolas, who is his brother, confirmed that the meeting had indeed taken place.
Not happy with contract offered for one-year extension: Agent
“We had a meeting with the President in Venice 10 days ago,” Nicolas said. “We talked about everything. He offered a one-year contract extension.”
He, however, made it clear that Higuain won’t be signing on the dotted line as they were not happy with the terms offered.
“In my opinion - and in our opinion - we’ll continue with the original contract, expiring in 2018. I don’t think we’ll accept the President’s offer because the contract isn’t that different to the one we signed before, so for us it’s not a real offer.”
Higuain has been linked with a host of clubs in the summer, including Arsenal and Liverpool, but his brother hinted that the 27-year-old will be remaining at the San Paolo for the time being.
“It seems strange, but the big clubs have not contacted me, nor have I spoken with anyone. We’re calm and happy to continue with the current conditions. At the moment, we have faith, Gonzalo will stay at Napoli, in a team which is 100 per cent focused and can win something,” he said.
Higuain has come back in good condition, says agent
Higuain has had a tough time of late with his club side as well as the national team. He missed a crucial penalty in Napoli's 2-4 defeat to Lazio on the final day of the season, a game which they needed to win to qualify for the Champions League.
He then had a horror showing for Argentina in the Copa America final, missing a golden chance in normal time before blazing over from the spot in the penalty shootout to hand the victory to Chile. Nicolas though said that his brother has come back refreshed and will be a crucial player for Napoli in the upcoming season.
“Gonzalo arrived in Dimaro [for the pre-season training camp] in good condition,” he said, according to Football Italia. “He’s an introverted player, not some snake oil salesman who likes to show off, he’s not on Twitter all day taking pictures. I’ve heard he’s training well, and that’s what’s important.”
He admitted that Napoli will find things harder this season with all major Italian clubs having made some big buys in the transfer window.
“To win something important is everyone’s dream, but this year it will be even more difficult because of the way teams have strengthened. It’ll be a tough campaign, but when the first ball is kicked we [Napoli] will try to show what we’re worth,” he said.