Ancelotti Reveals Hamsik May Leave For China

By Max Wise

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Napoli are in talks with a Chinese club, believed to be Dalian Yifang, for the transfer of club captain Marek Hamsik.

Ancelotti made the shocking revelations following Napoli's 3-0 victory over Sampdoria on Saturday in which Hamsik featured for 74 minutes.

The 31-year-old Slovakian midfielder is Napoli's all-time leading goalscorer with 121 goals after joining from Brescia in 2007.

Hamsik, who has played 16 Serie A games this season, is Napoli's all-time appearance maker with his outing in Saturday's game being his 520th in total.

"There are negotiations ongoing, we have to evaluate along with the player," Ancelotti told Sky Sport.

"The club has huge respect for this player, as he wrote history with Napoli, but if he wants to have another experience, we tend to want to make him happy."

"There are talks. We are not hiding anything. As far as I and the club are concerned, if the player wants to try this new experience, we are inclined to give him what he wants."

The Chinese transfer window does not close until the end of February, meaning clubs in the Super League can still raid clubs in Europe for their players.