Liverpool have been put on high alert after in-demand Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain rejected Napoli’s offer of a new contract.
According to ESPN, the player will not sign a new deal with the club. Napoli had been hopeful of extending his stay at the world-class striker enters the final two years of his current deal.
It is thought the current contract includes a £94 million release clause.
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While we are clearly unlikely to pay that much for a 28-year-old, especially after blowing more than £30 million on Mane, it is thought Higuain’s stance could force Napoli’s hand.
“The president is asking for the clause to be paid to let go of Gonzalo, and we have the right to refuse to renew,” said his agent, Nicolas Higuain.
“We arrived at Napoli with the promise of a successful project, playing in the Champions League and winning the Scudetto, with improved facilities and a desire to grow. It wasn’t right of the club to ignore those commitments.
“Aurelio De Laurentiis has every right to demand the clause in his contract be paid, but my brother and I have decided not to accept a renewal. We’ll see what happens next year with Napoli, given that his contract expires in 2018 when he turns 30.
“For now we’ll continue to abide by the contract, after that I don’t know what will happen, whether a club will be able to buy him or not. We have a contract with Napoli and, as a great professional, Gonzalo will continue to respect it. He’ll train correctly and give his all.”
“But it absolutely won’t be renewed if things stay this way.”