Juventus doesn't intend on activating Higuain's €94M release clause

Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta used no uncertain terms to end speculation about a €94.7-million move for prolific Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, telling Sky Sport Italia and assembled reporters on Monday that the Bianconeri have no intention of paying the Argentine's hefty release clause.

Marotta also confirmed that there are no ongoing negotiations for the 28-year-old.

La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy suggested Juve had begun to act on its interest in Higuain, with Simone Zaza and Daniele Rugani thought to be included in a potential deal as counterweights.

Related - Report: Juventus to break bank for Napoli's Higuain

But Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is apparently unwilling to budge on the asking price for his club's star striker, who netted 36 goals last season to break a 66-year-old scoring record in Serie A.

Higuain is still on holiday, and he's expected to report to Napoli's preseason training camp July 25.

Various reports indicated he had agreed to terms with Juventus over a summer transfer, but there is no such confirmation.

Converging at Lega Serie A's office in Milan, Marotta officially met with De Laurentiis on Monday to discuss Higuain's future. That's when the Napoli president explained he wouldn't accept any players in exchange for El Pipita - only a payment in full.

"Juventus has told me that it has no intention of paying the clause, nor have we asked them to," said De Laurentiis, according to Sky. "Marotta is intelligent, and he knows he can't do this great wrong to Napoli. He knows perfectly well it's a losing battle."