Napoli: 'Chelsea target Gonzalo Higuain will only leave for £72m'

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reiterated that in-demand striker Gonzalo Higuain will only leave if a "madman" meets his £72m buyout clause.

Chelsea are among those linked with the 27-year-old, who is reportedly keen to leave after the Partenopei failed to qualify for the Champions League last term.

"The papers don't know what they're writing," De Lauretiis told Sky Sport Italia. "They're inventing a sea of lies.

"The contract will be respected. He'll only go if a madman offers the buy-out clause. However, Gonzalo still belongs to Napoli."

The Argentine's contract expires in 2018.