In an extraordinary twist, Napoli have announced they will “suspend” the sale of Marek Hamsik to Dalian Yifang, as the payment method has changed, but the wording leaves it open.
The deal had been all set and the player given a surprise farewell party by his teammates last night.
However, this evening Napoli released a statement via their official website declaring the situation had been practically abandoned.
In an extraordinary twist, Napoli have announced they will “suspend” the sale of Marek Hamsik to Dalian Yifang, as the payment method has changed, but the wording leaves it open.
The deal had been all set and the player given a surprise farewell party by his teammates last night.
However, this evening Napoli released a statement via their official website declaring the situation had been practically abandoned.
“Calcio Napoli have decided to suspend the sale of Marek Hamsik to the Chinese club, as the payment method is not aligned with the previously agreed arrangements.”
The word used is ‘suspend,’ but could well refer to something more permanent and a total collapse of the deal.
Napoli were due to pocket €18m plus €2m in bonuses, with the player earning €9m per year in China.
According to Sky Sport Italia, the problem is that Dalian Yifang want to take Hamsik on loan with obligation to buy, whereas Napoli will only accept a permanent sale with one-off payment.
The Chinese Super League transfer window is still open until February 28.
The wording of the statement is also frankly odd, referring to "the Chinese" and not naming the club Dalian Yifang.
This all leaves the door open to working out the deal for a move to China – not necessarily to Dalian Yifang – with the correct payment terms.
Il Calcio Napoli ha deciso di soprassedere alla cessione di Marek Hamsik ai cinesi poiché le modalità di pagamento della cifra pattuita non collimano con gli accordi precedentemente raggiunti #ForzaNapoliSempre
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) February 6, 2019