Ranieri Confirms Hamsik Interest
Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri has admitted that the club is interested in signing Marek Hamsik, but says that it will be difficult to lure him away from Napoli.
Yesterday’s Italian papers reported that Hamsik was emerging as Juve’s main summer transfer target, and that they were prepared to offer cash, plus allow Marcelo Zalayeta and Manuele Blasi to sign on permanently with Napoli.
"The Slovak we like very much,” Ranieri revealed to Tele A.
“We had our men in the stands watching the squad of [Edy] Reja against Roma on Sunday.
“I can confirm the interest in Hamsik although it will be hard to wrestle him away from the Partenopei.”
Hamsik joined Napoli in the summer from Serie B side Brescia and has been a revelation this season.
He has been an ever-present at the heart of the Azzurri midfield, and has a return of six goals from 27 Serie A games.
Juventus were interested in signing the midfielder last summer, but sporting director Alessio Secco opted to buy Sergio Almiron and Tiago Mendes instead.
Hamsik has won seven caps for the Slovakia national team, scoring twice.
goal.com