Napoli star Walter Gargano is only on a salary of £150,000, he has revealed.

"I would gladly have come here for free, but I think I do deserve what is due," said the Uruguayan midfielder.

"In the summer when I was informed of the transfer I was in Venezuela with the Uruguay national team. We had lost, but I was the only one who was happy that day.

"I knew my wages were meagre, but my agent told me to relax and only focus on playing well. That is what I did, now I am waiting for him to arrive later this month so we can do things my way."

Napoli beat competition from several other European sides to capture Gargano and he has quickly become a key figure in their midfield, scoring two decisive goals as well against Roma and Juventus.

"I need to earn more so that I can help my family in Uruguay," he told the Corriere dello Sport.

"Football is a job for me and if I left my home country it is only to improve my career and my family's standard of living."