The 73-year-old film producer purchased the Partenopei in 2004 following their bankruptcy and quickly guided them back up to the Italian topflight. With Luciano Spalletti at the helm, Napoli are now on track to win their first Scudetto in over three decades.
In recent weeks, De Laurentiis has been heavily criticised by a section of the Napoli fanbase for the high ticket prices and increased security at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, leading to friction between supporters and owner.
Speaking to Il Mattino, De Laurentiis discussed his ownership of Napoli and revealed that he’d rejected a lucrative offer for the club last year.
“I don’t even care how much my Napoli is worth, it’s the family toy and I don’t think about selling it at all. Also, because I wouldn’t know what to do next…. What do I do, buy myself a club in the Premier League?
“But I’m of Neapolitan origin, I’m happy with Napoli and I don’t have to be ‘annoyed’ with these offers. An Arabian fund offered me €2.5 billion last year but I said no. And I also say no to funds that want to rebuild my stadium.
“I’ll rebuild the stadium on my own if the city council sells it to me for €1, as is logical and if the Court of Auditors and various superintendencies don’t put up obstacles as they always do in this country that is in a quandary.”