Balzaretti snubbed Napoli, claims De Laurentiis

31 Jul 2012 20:10:00

The Partenopei chief reveals the experienced defender is on his way to Roma, while promising attacker Lorenzo Insigne has committed his future to the club for the next five years

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed that Palermo full-back Federico Balzaretti has turned down an offer to move to the San Paolo.

The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a new challenge over the past month after impressing for Italy at Euro 2012.

Earlier in the week, Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri confirmed his side's interest in Balzaretti, but De Laurentiis has now admitted that his side have failed in their efforts to sign the defender.

"Balzaretti did not want to come to Napoli, he could have been useful to Mazzarri because we have decided to use a group of players in the Europa League, and another group of players in Serie A," De Laurentiis told Radio Marte.

"If he loves Roma more than Napoli, then he was not destined to come to this club."

Meanwhile, Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne, who spent the previous campaign on loan at Pescara, has signed a new five-year contract after impressing for the Partenopei during pre-season.

"He had a four-year contract, we sat down and put together a new one until 2017," De Laurentiis added.

"It is obviously an improved deal, we have rewarded the dreams of the young players who come through the club's ranks and also the sacrifices made by their families."