Marek Hamsik dismisses rumors of Real Madrid transfer

It seems like hardly a month goes by without Marek Hamsik being linked to some big club or other. Chelsea. Liverpool. Arsenal. Manchester United. Paris Saint-Germain. The latest in the years-long line of rumors is a murmuring that Zinedine Zidane, manager of Real Madrid, has been in personal contact with Hamsik in an effort to recruit the Slovakian to join the Spanish side this summer.

Fortunately, Hamsik himself was quick to dismiss the rumor when he heard about it.

Real Madrid? I have a contract with Napoli and I'm really not thinking of leaving. I'm pleased about what we're doing.

Zidane didn't call me, but then again not many people know my phone number. These are just rumors going around, I haven't received any actual offer.

-Source: Football Italia

Never mind the obvious tampering that such a rumor would mean if it were true -- a manager talking contracts with another club's player is a huge no-no in any sport -- the rumor doesn't really make a lot of sense for Real Madrid. They already have three excellent creative midfielders in their side in Luka Modric, Toni Kroos -- who is terribly misused at Madrid -- and Mateo Kovacic, plus a couple excellent outright attacking midfielders in James Rodriguez and Isco. Unless three or four of those players leave, Hamsik doesn't make sense for them to bring in, especially when they're in more dire need of more defensive or at least box-to-box midfielders who can better balance the side.

And of course, that's not even considering Hamsik's long-standing commitment to Napoli. It will truly be shocking if he ever leaves the club, because his connection to the team -- as well as to Naples and its people -- is so strong. With the team playing better than it ever has while he's been part of it, why would he leave now? If the team can keep taking strides forward this summer, they could be on the cusp of something great, something Hamsik can lead them to. Leaving now, especially to a team where he wouldn't be guaranteed the same significant role, would only leave him open to the risk of massive regret.

Besides, Real Madrid would probably make him cut off his mohawk. That would just be heresy.