Insigne: I will never play for Juventus

Posted Monday, July 22, 2013 by Goal.com

The promising 22-year-old striker says he would not join the Bianconeri even if they offered him a huge sum of money and believes his club need a replacement for Edinson Cavani

Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne has insisted he has no intention of playing for Juventus even if they tripled his wages.

Insigne, 22, is regarded as one of most promising Italian strikers in Serie A, having rose to prominence playing in the lower leagues on loan to Foggia and Pescara.

The Partenopei attacker featured regularly under former coach Walter Mazzarri, playing 37 out of 38 league matches last year, and he is adamant he would not be swayed by a lucrative offer from rivals Juventus.

"I would not play with them [Juventus] even if they tripled my salary," he told la Repubblica. "I have a contract until 2017, I'm living a dream playing in Naples just now, though, I could evaluate an experience abroad."

Rafael Benitez took over from Mazzarri since his departure to Inter and has already started to rebuild for the coming season with the signings of goalkeeper Rafael and Real Madrid duo defender Raul Albiol and midfielder Jose Callejon.

Reports have suggested forward Gonzalo Higuain is close to becoming the latest addition from the Santiago Bernabeu to join Benitez's charges.

And Insigne says he is relishing the prospect of developing his game under the Spaniard and hoping that a player like Higuain can help fill the void left by Edinson Cavani's departure to Paris Saint-Germain.

"I lacked a little in order to win, but now I hope to manage it, especially with Napoli. The Scudetto is no longer prohibited, but no predictions. We will certainly fight with everyone," Insigne continued.

"Cavani wanted the ball only for himself. Edi gave us so much and he will be missed. I hope he comes to be replaced with another strong forward, but with different characteristics.

"The fans don't put pressure on me. It doesn't weigh on me to be a Neopolitan in Napoli. I think only of the good of the team.

"The balance of last season was positive, even if I felt a little sacrificed. But I thank Mazzarri. Benitez will help the system, we attackers will be closer to the goal and I will aim for 15 goals.

"He is a coach of international experience. He makes no distinction between the youngsters and the more experienced."