Parma chief Pietro Leonardi rates star midfielder Sebastian Giovinco in the same class as Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Giovinco has been linked with a move to Napoli.

"Giovinco to Napoli? I think Sebastian is not inferior to Lavezzi," suggested Leonardi to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

"The numbers speak for themselves. Giovinco is likely to be starting for the national team tomorrow night and he has made more goals than the Argentine, so I do not think he can be considered as just a substitute for Pocho.

"I think the market will always belong to those who buy, if there is an interested club prepared to make that investment [on Lavezzi and his buyout clause] then fine, but I think there is the simple desire of the Neapolitan club and of Lavezzi for him to stay in the Azzurro shirt.

"The buyout clause for many teams in Europe is not insurmountable. Very few clubs can afford him, but those that can do not need the clause to take a player or not."