Italian Serie A champions Napoli will not pursue a deal to sign Nigeria international forward Ademola Lookman as a replacement for Kvicha Kvaratskhelia who departed the club in the January transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Head coach of Napoli Antonio Conte is a key admirer of the Nigerian who followed up his impressive season with another top notch one last term out with 20 goals and seven assists in all competitions for Atalanta.
Atalanta are open to his departure but want a fee in excess of €50m excluding add ons as they aim to make full profit from his likely exit. On the other hand Napoli consider the fee as exorbitant judging by his age which is closer to 30 than 25. Meaning he carries no resale value.
A player plus cash offer is another option, but the champions are already looking at a deal for Italian forward Federico Chiesa, who won the English Premier League title with Liverpool while on loan from Juventus last season.
27 year old Lookman who is the reigning Africa player of the year is however not short of suitors with clubs in England, Spain and also in Germany monitoring his situation at Atalanta.
Daniel Martins
