Gonzalo Higuain has been offered a new Napoli contract – but will not sign it, according to his brother and agent.
The Argentina striker, who has scored 35 Serie A goals in his two years with the Azzurri, has been linked with a move away from the San Paolo.
Although the 27-year-old former Real Madrid marksman is expected to stay with the Partenopei, Nicolas Higuain says he will not extend his current deal – which runs until 2018.
He told Naples -based Radio CRC: “We had a meeting with the president ( Aurelio De Laurentiis ) in Venice 10 days ago.
Most goals+assists in 2015: Messi 57 – Ronaldo 42 – Suarez 37 – Neymar 32 – Ibrahimovic 32 – Bacca 27 – Higuain 26 #fcblive [via @barcastat]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) August 3, 2015
“We talked about everything. He offered a one-year contract extension, however, 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. We’re calm and happy to continue with the current conditions.”
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The striker has a 100million euro release clause included in his contract – but his brother stressed that despite being connected to several of Europe’s big clubs, none have been in contact about a possible move.
He added: “It seems strange, but the big clubs have not contacted me, nor have I spoken with anyone.
“At the moment we have faith Gonzalo will stay at Napoli, in a team which is 100 per cent focused and can win something.”
Napoli, now coached by Maurizio Sarri, slipped to a fifth-placed finish in Serie A last season after finishing second and third in the two previous campaigns. They start their 2015-16 campaign on August 23 at Sassuolo.
