Napoli have insisted they will not be selling Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi to Chelsea this month as they try to keep hold of their star assets in a bid for a Champions League place.

Lavezzi, who has scored four goals this season, has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but Napoli, inspired to Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 by Diego Maradona, are aiming to build on their return to the top flight after a long period in decline.

The fifth place side in Serie A are also hoping to resist a move by Inter Milan to take Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik, their top scorer with seven goals.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said: ‘We are not interested in money. We are following a project and we don’t want to start over. I would only sell one of my top players if I see that he has become a hot potato.

“If that was the case, I would not hesitate but otherwise, I keep hold of all of my players.”

In Other News

talian side Napoli should be prepared for several major bids for support striker Ezequiel Lavezzi during the January transfer window.

Manchester United and Chelsea were reportedly already interested in the 23-year-old, but the two English giants are now joined by Real Madrid who are willing to spend 40 million Euros on the player, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

So far, Real Madrid attracted Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra but the Spaniards may be looking for a player that could connect Madrid’s midfield with its attackers.

The young Argentinian joined Napoli from San Lorenzo de Almagro in the 2007. This season, he scored four goals in 13 appearances.