Pandev aiming high with Napoli

Goran Pandev believes that with a couple of shrewd signings, Napoli can win the Serie A title next season.

The Macedonia international spent the 2011/12 campaign on loan at the San Paolo from Inter Milan but the move was made permanent three weeks ago.

The forward said he would not have committed himself to Napoli if he did not think they were capable of building on their Coppa Italia success.

“I have remained in Naples to win,” Pandev told Il Corriere dello Sport. “I had also told (coach Walter) Mazzarri that I would stay. So when they called me, it only took a minute to decide, and I signed for three years.

“The party for the Coppa Italia win was unforgettable, so I dare not imagine what would happen if something else came along.

“President (Aurelio) De Laurentiis wants Napoli to continue to grow and I think that with a couple of high-quality signings, the Scudetto is possible.

“We can do it. Napoli are already strong and it’s an exceptional group.”

Pandev admitted, though, that the imminent loss of Ezequiel Lavezzi to Paris Saint-Germain is a major blow.

“He’s a great player,” the former Lazio man said. “A champion who is also an exceptional person: there are few players like him around.

“But Napoli should not be mad at Lavezzi. Indeed, they should continue to want him to do well.”

Pandev made 30 appearances for Mazzarri’s men in Serie A last season, scoring six goals.