Marek Hamsik quietly continues to be a superstar at Napoli, season after season, and yet when the transfer rumours cover Europe every summer, there’s not much about the Slovakia international.
Now 30 years of age, perhaps it’s considered the time for a big move has gone, especially with potential now valued higher than reality, and Napoli’s tough negotiating reputation could put clubs off.
But more than that, it seems that Hamsik is truly happy where he is, apart from a brief spell under Rafael Benitez. A Napoli lifestyle he’s enjoyed for a decade… but what if Manchester United seriously came in, or Barcelona, or Bayern Munich?
“That’s hard to say. It would surely be the hardest decision in my career. Maybe everyone wants to play at these clubs, but I can’t answer that. I think that Napoli is one of the top 10 European teams in terms of gameplay and performance.”
Manchester United may not have a great need for Hamsik right now, but he’s the type of player who could have become an icon at Old Trafford.
A genuine icon at Napoli now, Hamsik has done things his way, and in an age in which players move so frequently, should go down in legend at the Italian club.
A Serie A title would help.