Is Napoli star on his way to T.O.?
Italian winger Insigne and Reds have reportedly agreed to monster deal
It appears Toronto FC has succeeded in landing Italian soccer star Lorenzo Insigne.
Reports out of Italy suggest an agreement has been struck between the MLS club and the Napoli forward, with TV channel Sportitalia saying an official announcement is expected Saturday.
A source, not authorized to speak on the negotiations, said that was a “likely” timeline. While nothing had been signed yet, talks were in the “final stages,” the source said. Canadian taxes apparently extended the marathon talks.
Insigne, who turns 31 on June 4, is expected to join Toronto in July when his current contract expires.
The Napoli captain represents a swing for the fences for a Toronto team looking to return to its winning ways after a dismal 6-18-10 season in 2021. The Italian, a Naples native who made his first-team debut with Napoli in 2009, comes with a gilt-edged resumé.
Insigne debuted for Italy in 2012 and has 10 goals in 53 appearances. He started for the Azzurri in their Euro 2020 final win over England and also played for his country at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
TFC has been linked with 28year-old Torino striker Andrea Belotti, another Italian international whose club contract is expiring this summer, as well.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns Toronto FC, reportedly is digging deep into its well-stocked wallet to get Insigne with a long-term contract that will make him the league’s highest-paid player by quite a distance.
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela led the league last season at $6.3 million (U.S.).
At five-foot-four and 130 pounds, Insigne is small, but packs a punch. He can play in attack across the field, but is often deployed as a left winger where he can use his speed, ball skills and powerful shot to great effect.
Champs in 2017 and runners-up in 2016 and 2019, TFC finished 26th out of 27 teams last year. The vast majority of the franchise’s seasonticket base opted to forgo what little of the season that was played in Toronto, put off by the pandemic and TFC’s woeful play.