New boy Giovanni Simeone reveals turning down offers to join Napoli

international scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 35 Serie A games last season as he became a priority transfer target for

. The Serie A giants finally reached an agreement with

for the transfer of

on a one-season long loan deal.

Napoli reportedly has paid a € 3.5m fee for the loan transfer, they will have to pay another €12m to make the transfer permanent next season. The Partenopei saw competition from

and Borussia Dortmund to sign

’s son, Giovanni.

Simeone told a

after joining Napoli:

“I’m very happy to be here, I’ve always wanted a team like this, even more knowing that there are so many Argentines who have done well here. For me it’s a great responsibility, every day I want to prove everything.

“Yes I had many possibilities but I had only one thing in mind, to come here. The offers from other teams were also important but they weren’t interesting, I wanted Napoli. I know I will do well, I’m convinced, and I can improve.

“I think so. I’ve always picked myself up after hard times. I have had a lot of experience in Italy, I’ve grown a lot."

Reflecting on his hattrick against his new club when he was playing for

, the Argentine added:

“I’m a person who has always given everything. I’ve always fought for the teams I played for and for my teammates. I’m ready to do that here as well and I want to prove it in every moment I get.”

“For me it’s important to convey what I feel inside on the pitch and every day I will always try to improve.”

On the possibility that Napoli could draw

in the Champions League and face his father, Diego's club, Simeone said the only thing that is important for him is his physical condition and the next match.

“It’s not important to think about who we can cross, let’s wait for the draw, it will be important to think about Fiorentina.”

“Yes I’d stopped in Verona and wasn’t playing, but I have been training a lot, I feel very good physically.

“Already yesterday I felt good and had good signs. Slowly I will get into the team dynamic, that’s what counts. I will try to get to know my teammates and be ready.”

Praising

's current squad, the 27-year-old added:

“They’re very good, I told my family when they asked me about Napoli, when I try to press them they never lose the ball, I still have to understand the dynamics of training and teammates but also the system.

“Napoli are a quality team. When I arrived I just wanted to train, the right atmosphere is being created, we won the first two games and this also helps the people who have passion and support us.”

Finally, Simeone revealed his

father’s reaction

to the transfer.

“He was very happy, he wrote me a nice message, all Argentinians watched Maradona’s Napoli when they were growing up.

“He tells me that every young player in Argentina had the dream of making it to Napoli, so for me this is a beautiful thing.”

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