Napoli hitman Ezequiel Lavezzi has ruled out all rumors linking him with a move away from the Serie A club claiming that there have been no offers and no controversy whatsoever.
Lavezzi had emerged as a prime transfer target of top Premier League clubs after an inspiring season with Napoli, where the Azzurris finished 3rd in the table, behind the two San Siro clubs.
There were reports linking him with a move away to Manchester City and Liverpool, with both the clubs willing to pay the €32M buy-out clause in his contract.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the player nicknamed ‘El Pocho’ said:
“I know the people love me here and I understand they have this fear. However, so far I have not received any offers or heard about any negotiations. This is all media talk. I don’t know if anyone is really looking for me, but I can be certain no formal bids have reached Napoli.
“On August 4 I will be at the San Paolo for the presentation of the team and the friendly against Penarol. I have a contract until 2015, I am a Napoli player and am at the disposal of Walter Mazzarri. There is no controversy.
“If someone wants to make it seem as if I want to leave in order to make me look bad, then I don’t know what to think. They’re all lies.”
Napoli have strengthened their squad over the summer with the arrival of players like Mario Alberto Santana, Gokhan Inler and Miguel Angel Britos. The Azzurris have also managed to retain (thus far) star player Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani, both of whom were linked with a move away to a bigger club.
“Inler is a great player and having many champions in the side is crucial, especially as we are in three competitions this season.
“Can Napoli win the Scudetto? I don’t know, but we will give everything we’ve got to win and reach higher than ever.”