Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has appeared to end rumours linking Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a move to the club after insisting they are focused on strengthening in other departments.
Ibrahimovic has been without a club since leaving LA Galaxy in November, but was thought to be keen on linking back up with his ex-Milan teammate Gennaro Gattuso, who was named Napoli manager following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.
De Laurentiis, however, has poured cold water on the speculation by insisting the veteran Swedish striker is no longer in their thinking.
“Zlatan is a great person with a strong character,” De Laurentiis said. “We thought about Ibrahimovic when Ancelotti was in charge, as he would have taken a certain role.
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“Now before thinking about him, I have other priorities, as this is a team that must play in a different system with a very high line and a defence that cannot allow what it happened against Parma.”
De Laurentiis seemed to suggest strengthening the midfield was Napoli’s priority, and Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira has been linked with a move.
He added: “We must focus first and foremost on what we have in-house and then to reinforce the midfield. It’s a pity all the hard work we had done for Ancelotti now has to be scrapped and we start again working for Gattuso’s ideas. We start from scratch but we do not lack enthusiasm.”
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It remains to be seen what Ibrahimovic’s next move is, after Jose Mourinho also ruled out bringing his former player to Tottenham due to the difficulty he would have in dislodging Harry Kane from the starting lineup.
Milan were also thought to be interested in Ibrahimovic, but are reportedly not able to offer a salary that meets with the controversial forward’s approval.
