The club’s president insists they inserted a large release clause in the striker’s contract to ensure he remains at Stadio San Paolo and have no interest in selling him

Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted Napoli have never considered selling Gonzalo Higuain despite reports linking him with a move away this summer.

Higuain has flourished at San Paolo since arriving from Real Madrid in 2013, scoring 53 goals in all competitions, leading to speculation that the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal want to sign him.

But Napoli president De Laurentiis has dismissed such claims, insisting it will take a significant fee to convince the club to let him go. 

“I never, ever considered selling Higuain,” he told  Corriere della Sera.

“It wasn’t by chance that I put a very high clause in his contract, which makes him difficult to afford for any potential buyer.

“I expect that he’s respectful of his commitment to Napoli and the work of the team.”

The 27-year-old Argentina international is tied to the Serie A side until June 2018.