Tottenham learn fate as agent puts deadline on Napoli star’s transfer decision

Tottenham’s hopes of luring Lorenzo Insigne to the club in January appear to be fading following an update from the Napoli star’s agent.

Insigne has spent his entire senior career, except from a few formative loan spells, with Napoli. He currently serves as their captain but their association together may not last much longer.

Napoli only have him under contract until the end of the season. From January onwards, he could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside Italy.

He also has plenty of suitors still in Serie A, who could try to buy him in the winter. But Tottenham have been tipped to take him to the Premier League instead for a while.

Indeed, Antonio Conte’s side have been named as the favourites to sign the 30-year-old by journalist Fabio Santini. What’s more, they have learned that Napoli’s president is indifferent to losing Insigne and would prefer it if he joined the Premier League club.

However, Insigne’s preference remains on staying at Napoli.

The 30-year-old has a deep affection for the club, but wants them to at least match his current deal.

Insigne is on a £4.6m-a-year deal at Napoli, but the Partenopei have offered him a pay cut. His current package earns him £88,000 a week.

Now his agent, Vincenzo Pisacane, admits an agreement is far from close.

Insigne contract offer "unacceptable" as Conte closes in on Napoli captain

Spurs are reportedly growing in confidence over a potential deal for Napoli’s Lorenzo insigne.

Furthermore, speaking to il Corriere dello Sport, he says a move to MLS could be on the cards.

“He loves Napoli but we’re still far from reaching an agreement over new deal,” Pisacane said. “Toronto proposal? The MLS experience like [Alessandro] Del Piero could be a possibility – we will see after January 2.”

With Pisacane seemingly giving Napoli a two-week deadline to finalise a new deal, the striker could yet be on the move in January.

Insigne agent wants Napoli urgency

Indeed, talks between Insigne and Napoli have been dragging on for well over 12 months.

Back in November, Pisacane told Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to act more hastily to keep his client.

“Usually, you offer more money when you want to extend a contract. Just see the treatment for players who extended before Lorenzo.

“Needless to say, Lorenzo was surprised [by Napoli offer]. We are always in contact with De Laurentiis. There is mutual respect with Aurelio, but he knows the proposal must be increased, not cut.

“We are just at the beginning of negotiations and a few stupid fans are calling him a mercenary. I expect the club to take a step towards Insigne.

“Everyone has to make his part. I don’t want to affect the relationship between the club and us, but I am reading too much fake news and I had to clarify a few things.

“Insigne is a professional and is training well as if he had ten years left in his contract. Even Kalidou Koulibaly said he’s never seen so much commitment for somebody who could leave in June.”

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