Napoli attacker Lorenzo Insigne has reportedly agreed to move to Major League Soccer next summer when his contract with the Italian side expires.
The 30-year-old Napoli captain has been unable to agree to a new deal with his side and is now set to end his 16 years association with Naples club at the end of the 2021-22 season.
According to reports in Sky Italia and MediaSet, via Dailymail, Major League Soccer side FC Toronto are the leading candidates for his signature. The Canada-based side have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Insigne, who has made over 400 appearances for Napoli.
A writer for the official MLS website Michael Singh has also confirmed the deal to take Insigne to Canada in June.
The club are also looking at the possibility of sealing the deal this January and are offering a fee as a sweetener. But with Napoli facing big games in the league and Europe, that avenue could prove unlikely.
However, the idea of a transfer to Canada has not gone down well with some people who are close to the player. One of such persons is Insigne’s former agent Antonio Ottaviano.
Speaking to Italian radio, Radio Marte Ottaviano said;
“It’s a lifestyle choice more than a career one.
“A decision like this means playing a very different type of sport. It’s exhibition football, not a proper competition.
“We’d need to see what his priorities are, who he is getting advice from.
“Naturally, we Italians struggle to understand a move like this, yet Giovinco did it. Only those who are in this situation can understand how much the salary pushes them to accept or not.”
Former Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco also warned the Italian international of the consequences of his decision.
Asked whether a move to Canada is a good opportunity for Insigne, Giovinco told Corriere dello Sport:
“It depends on what you want. Personally, I felt comfortable on a human level, and I found a city where life is easy.
“On a professional level, you have to consider disappearing from the radar. I lost the national team; I lost visibility.
“If you are willing to give up on these things, it is an experience that I recommend to everyone.”
Insigne joined Napoli as a 15-year-old from Olimpia Sant’Arpino and has spent his entire professional career with the club – with loan spells at Cavese, Foggia and Pescara, his only experience at other sides.
He has become a key player for the club and has captained them since 2019. He has 114 goals to his name and also won the Coppa Italia with the club.
