Zenit make bumper offer for Lavezzi

Russian champions Zenit have stepped up their interest in Ezequiel Lavezzi by making €18 million bid for the player’s services.

Napoli are willing to negotiate the sale of the star forward and La Gazzetta dello Sport reveals that Russian side Zenit have opened negotiations with the San Paolo outfit.

The Russians are thought to have offered €18 million for Lavezzi, but that is way short of Napoli’s valuation of the player.

The Partenopei are asking for €32 million, but would probably be willing to lower the asking price.

Should the Italians decide to cash in on their star player, they will use the money from the sale to fund the purchase of Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi.