Napoli’s Marek Hamsik is treating his new role with ‘intrigue and optimism’ but admits Aurelio De Laurentiis was not impressed by his possible move to China.
Hamsik has been trialled as Napoli’s deep-lying playmaker early on in Carlo Ancelotti’s reign following the departure of Jorginho to Chelsea, although the captain was almost tempted by China’s riches before preseason.
“With Sarri, we parted normally,” the 30-year-old told Corriere dello Sport.
Napoli’s Marek Hamsik is treating his new role with ‘intrigue and optimism’ but admits Aurelio De Laurentiis was not impressed by his possible move to China.
Hamsik has been trialled as Napoli’s deep-lying playmaker early on in Carlo Ancelotti’s reign following the departure of Jorginho to Chelsea, although the captain was almost tempted by China’s riches before preseason.
“With Sarri, we parted normally,” the 30-year-old told Corriere dello Sport.
“He sent me a message on the first day of our preseason training camp, asking me to share it with the team. He wished us good luck for the future.
“Change of role under Ancelotti? It’s something that intrigues me and makes me curious. I’ve fallen into it with interest and optimism.
“Can it prolong my career? I haven’t thought about that. When Ancelotti told me he wanted to try me out there, he gave me other stimuli.
“China? It wasn’t the first time this possibility existed. Let’s say it would’ve set my family up for life.
“I gave myself a date of July 9, the date of our training camp, and that if nothing had happened by then, I’d have let it go.
“After the European Championship two years ago, there had been enquiries. De Laurentiis? I spoke to the President about this offer from China in May.
“I immediately branched out to him. We have a special and direct relationship. How he reacted? He said to me, ‘where on earth do you think you’re going? This is your home!’”