Serie A: Napoli's Hamsik set to leave for Dalian Yifang

Napoli are set officially to lose one of the club's legends as captain Marek Hamsik is closing in on a lucrative move to Dalian Yifang of the Chinese Super League.

The ovation that the home support gave to the midfielder after he exited for Amadou Diawara on 74 minutes against Sampdoria foreshadowed a goodbye.

After the game, Carlo Ancelotti admitted openly that the move is one that the Slovakian simply couldn't turn down. "If he feels that he needs a new experience then he will probably be pleased. We have Fabian Ruiz, Diawara and Zielinski already in that position, but a copy of Hamsik doesn't exist", told coach. Dalian Yifang's offer for the 31-year-old is said to 20 million euros in a transfer fee and 9m euros per year for the player.

Hamsik will leave the club after playing 519 games in 12 years, a club record, and scoring 121 goals.