Big-spending Russian football team Anzhi are considering a bid for Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, who is valued at 31 million euros, Italian media reported Wednesday.
Lavezzi has been linked with English sides Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as Italy’s Juventus, since he played in all eight games of Napoli’s charge to the Champions League knockout stages this season, scoring two goals.
Anzhi would be prepared to activate the 31-million-euro release clause in Lavezzi’s contract and triple his wages to 6.5 million euros a year, Italian daily Il Mattino reported.
Italian agent Peppino Tirri, who arranged the transfer of Samuel Eto’o from Inter Milan to Anzhi in 2011, suggested to Il Mattino that Lavezzi may be deterred from a move if Anzhi fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
“Before then, Anzhi must decide whether or not it will make the Champions League,” he said.
“Certainly the desire to do well is there, and Lavezzi is a player that we all consider a top player.”
Russia isn't a traditional destination for European players in their prime, but Lavezzi could possibly be persuaded to join a side coached by Guus Hiddink and featuring former Inter striker Samuel Eto'o in attack.
Lavezzi,26, joined Napoli in 2007 for a reported fee of 6 million euros and has since scored 47 goals in 181 games for the Azzurri.
For Argentina, Lavezzi has scored twice in 16 appearances.
Any move would have wait for the summer transfer window to open.
Russian Premier League clubs have yet to agree on the same window of July 1 to August 31 in operation in most of Europe, including Italy.
