SSC Napoli have issued a strongly worded statement hinting at legal action after a proposed loan move for winger Jesper Lindstrøm to German club Schalke fell apart — and they’re making clear they don’t believe they’re the ones to blame.
In the statement, Napoli laid out a detailed timeline of how the deal unravelled, pointing the finger squarely at Schalke for pulling out at the last minute.
According to Napoli, both clubs had been exchanging correspondence over contract details on the day of the deal, with no dispute over the financial terms or payment structure. Then, at 1:00 PM, Schalke informed Napoli that certain proposed clauses were unacceptable — citing the injuries of two of their players over the weekend as the reason for a shift in their transfer priorities.
Napoli responded quickly. By 1:22 PM, they had sent a reply signalling their willingness to accommodate Schalke’s concerns, even offering to accept the contract in the version Schalke themselves had proposed.
It wasn’t enough. At 5:32 PM, Schalke confirmed they were walking away entirely — this time citing “changed priorities in the preparation of the staff.”
Napoli weren’t buying it.
“Despite this, at 17:32 the German club confirmed that they were no longer interested due to the changed priorities in the preparation of the staff, clearly demonstrating the actual reasons underlying the failure to close the operation,” the club said.
The Italian club closed their statement with a direct warning: “In the hope of having definitively clarified the real responsibilities for the non-transfer of the player, SSC Napoli reserves all actions with the competent authorities aimed at protecting their rights.”
In plain terms — Napoli believe Schalke used contract negotiations as cover for a decision they had already made, and they’re prepared to pursue the matter through official channels.
Where this leaves Lindstrøm is unclear. The Denmark international has struggled for consistent playing time at Napoli and had appeared set for a move that would give him a fresh start. With this deal dead, his immediate future remains uncertain.
Read the full statement below;
“SSC Napoli reserves all actions with the competent authorities aimed at protecting their rights”.
“After, yesterday, an exchange of correspondence took place on the general conditions of the contract, without ever questioning the economic terms of the agreement and the payment methods, at 13:00 today the German club informed us that some proposed clauses were not acceptable, also in light of the changed technical-sporting needs resulting from the injury of two footballers over the weekend, which would have required the modification of market strategies”.
“At 13:22 a response communication was sent to the German club with which, while reiterating that it was a matter of detailed changes with respect to the structure of the deal, understanding the technical needs of the German club, SSC Napoli would have been available to accept the version of the contract as proposed by Schalke”.
“Despite this, at 17:32 the German club confirmed that they were no longer interested due to the changed priorities in the preparation of the staff, clearly demonstrating the actual reasons underlying the failure to close the operation”.
“In the hope of having definitively clarified the real responsibilities for the non-transfer of the player, SSC Napoli reserves all actions with the competent authorities aimed at protecting their rights”.
Managing Editor,
Lagos Post Online.
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