Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that he still has no interest in selling Man United and Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain.
The Argentinian striker had been linked with an exit from Naples this summer, but any interested party was put off by De Laurentiis’ demands for his €94m release clause fee.
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While a departure began to seem more and more unlikely, it was instead reported that the striker was negotiating a new deal with the Serie A outfit.
However, even though a deal could not be struck after talks, De Laurentiis is adamant that both parties are on the same page and will continue together beyond this season.
“There was a misunderstanding with regards to Higuain. Anyone who claims he will leave is perhaps paid to say that,” he told Sky Sport Italia, as reported by Football Italia.
“He has a three-year contract. We had some talks with his brother and father, because they wanted to know the plans of the new Coach.”
De Laurentiis also took the opportunity to slam former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez for his tenure, while praising his replacement Maurizio Sarri for improving the intensity and work-rate of the players.
Meanwhile, both United and Arsenal have been linked with various strikers this summer, with Louis Van Gaal and Arsene Wenger short of options up front.
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