Manchester City admit interest in Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi
The first team coach of Manchester City, Fausto Salsano, has admitted that the club are closely monitoring two Napoli stars in Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Both players have been on the radar of numerous clubs with Chelsea in particular making enquiries into Hamsik over the last two seasons whilst Lavezzi has been linked with both Manchester City and Liverpool.
At 24, the Slovakian international Hamsek is perhaps the most sort after attacking midfielder at the moment who has impressed both for his country and Napoli, with the club having only player twice so far in this season’s Champions League, ironically in the same group as Manchester City with their first game at the Etihad stadium ending 1-1.
Argentine striker Lavezzi has thumped in 29 league goals in 126 league appearances for the Serie A side and is a product of the Boca Juniors youth set up. Whilst he represents the older of the two targets it is clear that Manchester City are keen to begin searching for suitable replacements for Carlos Tevez who is likely to be moved on in the January transfer window.
Salsano believes that both would add great depth to the squad describing Lavezzi as devastating and Hamsik as someone with experience.
“They are two players who we like because our objective at City is to do great things and win, Hamsik has become an important player with the right experience, while Lavezzi is devastating and can hurt people in one on one situations.”
Neither will come cheap though and with the Financial Fairplay Regulations to be brought in shortly, Manchester City will have to be careful with regards to how much they spend and on which players in particular. Prices of around £30m-£35m have been quoted where Marek Hamsik is concerned whilst Lavezzi would undoubtedly cost the club something upwards of £25m.
