Napoli offered Simone Inzaghi €5 million: "No thanks, I'll earn it in a month."

Napoli made a serious attempt, but were forced to contend with the financial giants of Arab football. Aurelio De Laurentiis' club, searching for the right profile for the bench, attempted a major coup by exploring the prospect of Simone Inzaghi. The contact went far beyond a simple courtesy call, but was destined to founder against a financial reality that was simply out of reach for Serie A.

The journalist Paolo Bargiggia revealed the sensational transfer market background during his usual evening appointment with “Netweek Calcio Show” (broadcast on Il61).

De Laurentiis' plan for the bench

While the offers on the table for players like Massimiliano Allegri and Vincenzo Italiano were for two-year contracts (€5 million and €2,5 million net per season, respectively), Napoli was ready to make a long-term commitment for the former Inter coach. The Azzurri management offered Inzaghi a generous five-year contract worth a staggering €5 million per year. A monstrous offer by Italian football standards and the virtuous management of the Neapolitans.

The shocking response: "A lot of money in a month."

Napoli's attempt, however, fizzled out the moment the details of the coach's current salary in the Middle East were revealed. Faced with a €5 million annual offer from the Azzurri, the coach's entourage put the deal on ice with a practical demonstration.

An associate of Inzaghi showed Napoli management his latest monthly pay slip from Al-Hilal: a whopping €4,7 million every thirty days. Essentially, what Napoli offered for twelve months of work, the Arab club guaranteed Inzaghi in just four weeks.

No Italy, the future remains golden

Faced with such a huge gap, the deal logically fizzled out. Despite Napoli's long history of healthy financial statements and perfectly balanced accounts, competing with Al-Hilal's numbers remains mission impossible for anyone in Italy. Therefore, there will be no return to Serie A this year: Simone Inzaghi's future will once again lie under the golden skies of Saudi Arabia.