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There's been an interesting story that's slowly developed over the last few days after the transfer window shut. Apparently, in a fit of rampant over-optimism, Juventus made a pass at signing Marek Hamsik.
Yes, you read that correctly. Juventus actually thought that they had a chance of signing Marekiaro away from Napoli, and for a pittance at €25 million. Nevermind the fact that Hamsik is Napoli's captain, the simple fact of his connection with the city and its people made the idea of him leaving silly. The fact that Juventus thought they could so dramatically underpay for him makes it all the more ridiculous.
Normally, one could dismiss such rumors as paper talk, but both Juventus director Beppe Marotta and Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis have talked about the Old Lady's efforts, and Hamsik has indicated that he was aware of the offer as well.
Apparently Juventus aren't done wasting everyone's time just yet, with Turin-based paper Tuttosport claiming that the bianconeri will be making signing Hamsik a priority come January. Despite the report's amusing "everyone has their price" anecdote, there are two realities they're ignoring: the price to pry Hamsik out of the San Paolo, both in transfer fees and wages, would be much higher than Juventus are willing to pay. Add that to the fact that Napoli simply don't have a history of selling talented players to current or potential rivals, and there's zero reason to think this will happen.
This won't be the last we hear of this, not by far, but for now at least there's absolutely no reason to do anything else but read the reports and laugh. Marek Hamsik is going nowhere, no matter what pipe dreams Juve's technical staff have dreamed up.