Photograph: Francisco Seco/AP
Exclusive: Why Napoli won't buy Jackson Martinez | by Fabrizio Romano
Napoli’s current crisis in attack isn’t going to be solved by buying Jackson Martinez, we can exclusively reveal.
The Partenopei have had no luck of late up front, seeing Arkadiusz Milik go down to an ACL tear and budding starter Manolo Gabbiadini be sent off against Crotone after a poor start to the campaign.
With this situation ongoing, Napoli have been linked to numerous signings up front, including the name of the Colombian Martinez, who currently plays for Guangzhou Evergrande.
In fact, the ex Atletico Madrid man has been offered to Napoli, a club that had previously chased him when Riccardo Bigon was still director of sport.
Problem is, he simply earns too much for the Neapolitans, his salary being in between the €10 and €11 million mark. For president Aurelio De Laurentiis, this kind of a sum is simply excessive for a 30-year-old.
Oh, and Martinez also has his own image rights (another problem for a club like Napoli) and his own sponsors to sort out.
It looks like the Azzurri will have it tough it out with someone cheaper… or with Dries Mertens playing in the false nine position.
@FabrizioRomano, adapted by @EdoDalmonte
