Napoli remain adamant Cavani is not for sale

Jan 29, 2013 4:50:00 PM

The Partenopei chief insists the Uruguay international will not be sold to any interested bidders unless they meet his buy-out clause, while he lauded Walter Mazzarri for his work

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has once again reiterated that striking sensation Edinson Cavani is not for sale.

Cavani, who notched his 18th goal of the season in Serie A on Sunday against Parma, has attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester City, but the Partenopei president insists his hand will not be forced unless the €63 million release clause in the forward's contract is triggered.

"I have already said before that Cavani is not for sale. So we will have to wait and see whether someone is willing to pay his buy-out clause, and if the player wants to join that club," De Laurentiis told Corriere dello Sport.

Napoli's win over Parma on Sunday ensured Walter Mazzarri's men kept the pressure up on league leaders Juventus, closing the gap to three points, after the Bianconeri slipped up against Genoa.

De Laurentiis praised the boss saying: "I see Mazzarri as the ideal coach for Napoli. I have an excellent relationship with him and have a lot of respect for him. I do not agree with everything he says, but we respect each other. I hope he remains at Napoli as long as possible."

Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik was delighted with the result over the Gialloblu which has given him cause for optimism that Napoli can make a push for the Serie A title.

“It was a very difficult game,” Hamsik told the club's official website. “But nevertheless, we got the three points, and they were so important.

“We were all happy at the final whistle, because these points were huge in the context of the season.”

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