Napoli Issue “Hands Off” Warning Over Lavezzi

With Didier Drogba seemingly as injury prone these days as our former physio’s favourite Arjen Robben, rumour has it Chelsea will be looking for some strengthening up front in the January transfer window.

With Anelka’s form (well, prior to Sunday’s game anyway) not suggesting he’ll ever be as prolific as Scolari would like him to be either, rumour has it Chelsea could be ready to jump in with a bid for Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi when the transfer window opens.

Frank Arnesen has apparently had his eye on the 23 year old since his arrival at Napoli from San Lorenzo has seen him compared to the likes of Carlos Tevez. Arnesen watched Lavezzi in action for Napoli last week, sparking reports of a possible £10million move for the young Argentinean.

Lavezzi won seven under-23 caps for Argentina and having won a gold medal at the Olympics, is now part of the full national squad on a regular basis. Since moving from San Lorenzo to Napoli in July last year, Lavezzi has scored eight goals in thirty-five league games. So, not exactly a spectacular goal return for the £4million-odd Napoli paid for him, but still enough for the Serie A side to want to keep hold of him apparently. Because, the latest reports suggest Napoli have issued a “hands off” warning to Chelsea.

Sporting Director Pierpaolo Marino has insisted the player is not for sale, stating “We have not received any offers for Lavezzi. If they (Chelsea) are thinking of making an offer, they might as well forget about doing so because we will reject it straight away. Lavezzi is not for sale at any price.”

So with Napoli determined to keep hold of Lavezzi, and the youngster having signed an contract extension which keeps him at the club until 2013, this one doesn’t look likely for January.