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ITALY – Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has remarkably stated that he will not sign African players for the club unless they agree to not play in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 73-year-old says he ‘loves’ Napoli’s African players, but he rues having to pay them so much for the amount of time they are away.
“I told them lads, don’t talk to me about Africans anymore!” said De Laurentiis during a streamed event.
“I love them, but either they sign something confirming they’ll back out of playing the Africa Cup of Nations, or otherwise between that tournament, the World Cup qualifiers in South America, these players are never available!
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“We are the idiots who pay salaries only to send them all over the world playing for others.”
Last season Napoli lost Kalidou Koulibaly to the AFCON and the centre-back went all the way with Senegal and won the tournament. The 31-yearold has now signed for Chelsea.
Former Fulham man Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa represented Cameroon at the tournament while he was on loan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Ironically, Napoli made his loan a permanent signing back in May, clearly before De Laurentiis formed his stance.
SPAIN – Reports suggest that Barcelona are looking to terminate the contract of their top goalscorer from last season.
Having joined the Blaugrana on a free transfer at the beginning of last season, it looks as though Memphis Depay will once again be a free agent soon.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Netherlands international and his representatives are negotiating with the Catalan giants to settle the rest of his contract as he looks for an opportunity to play regular first-team football.
Injury
With the acquisitions of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele’s contract renewal and Ansu Fati’s return from injury, it is unlikely Depay will retain his place as the Spanish club’s leading forward.
It is claimed Head Coach Xavi Hernandez had already informed the 29-year-old prior to the team’s tour of the US that he would be surplus to requirements once the 2022 23 LaLiga season commenced, but took him on tour regardless.