Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has admitted that reported Liverpool target Lorenzo Insigne could be sold in this transfer window.
The Italian international was reported by Corriere dello Sport to have been tempted by a reported move to Anfield in the summer but currently has an £89.5million release clause.
When probed about Insigne at an event at the Italian parliament, De Laurentiis said, as quoted by teamTALK: “If we receive offers that can allow us to replace them then we can talk about it. If not, if we receive offers in the last 10 days of the transfer window then it’s not possible anymore.”
As reported by the Guardian, Liverpool were ready to splash out £61million for the 28-year-old in January but decided against the move at the time, with Klopp said to have been in touch with agent Mino Raiola over a summer move.
De Laurentiis suggested an offer of £134million might not be enough at the time according to Repubblica.
Insigne has been in fine form in Serie A this season, scoring 14 and assisting six goals in 41 appearances.
OPINION
This would definitely be a massive statement from Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. The only downside to any potential deal is whether or not the Reds are willing to spend such a large amount of money for a player who would need to challenge their prolific front-three for consistent football. It would be a smarter move for Klopp to target a younger player who could build up to first-team football rather than an experienced winger who would want nothing less than to start every single week. That would not be available at Liverpool, with Sadio Mane in electrifying form on the left-hand side, winning the Premier League Golden Boot Award last season with 22 goals. Despite the possible signing of Insigne adding serious depth to their attacking depth, it is hard to justify spending close to the reported £89.5million fee for an aging player. The winners of any deal should that release clause be met, would be Napoli – with De Laurentiis possibly realising that at 28-years-old, now might be the right time to go separate ways with Insigne.
