As Toronto FC prepares to close in on a deal for Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne, the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer offered his thoughts on the potential move.
TFC has reportedly offered Napoli’s captain a five-year deal worth up to worth about US$13 million, with up to US$5.1 million in potential bonuses according to Fabrizio Romano. Toronto also reportedly has interest Andrea Belotti from Torino according to SkySport’s Gianluca Di Marzio but he has received interest from AC Milan.
Giovinco made some headlines in Italy recently when he was asked about his experience in MLS and with some translations saying it was “not real football.” He has since clarified his comments saying that they were not translated properly and that he loved living in Toronto, but admits the playing style is different.
“First I have to say that they (Insigne and Belotti) are very good players. Of course, for the league and for TFC it will be amazing, I hope they can make it happen,” Giovinco told Italian Football TV’s Marco Messina. “There is a good life in Toronto but if you want to talk about soccer, I cannot say it is the same. They are starting to improve but they are not on the same level.”
In another interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Giovinco was quoted saying that by moving to MLS, Insigne might lose visibility which might take him off the national team’s radar.
Since then, Giovinco clarified in his interview with IFTV that he was only speaking from personal experience.
“I can only say on my side what happened to me. When I came here, I left the national team. That’s the reality,” Giovinco said. “Of course, maybe for them, it will be different because they won the Euro Cup. Maybe they will talk with Mr. Mancini and maybe they don’t even leave the national team. So maybe for them, nothing changes.”
During his time with TFC, became the team’s all-time leading scorer with 83 goals while helping them win a championship in 2017. He would leave for the Saudi league in 2019, where he played for three seasons.
When asked if he could see the possibility of playing on the same team as Insigne and Belotti, Giovinco would like nothing more but isn’t optimistic that all three could come together.
“This is what I want but I think it will be difficult,” Giovinco said about a potential Italian trio.
Giovinco has made it known that he would like to make a return to TFC and has made appearances at BMO Field watching his former team play. In an interview with the Toronto Star, the 34-year-old said that he has said not listened to offers from other teams because he wants to play in Toronto.
Part of the issue is that TFC only has three spots to add designated players and if Insigne comes to Toronto, they would need to make room for him and would prefer to not use another one on Giovinco.
