The Marek Hamsik transfer to Dalian Yifang, or indeed any Chinese Super League club, remains open until February 28, despite Napoli’s statement.

The Partenopei caused a shockwave this evening when releasing a statement about the move, which had been effectively agreed.

“Calcio Napoli have decided to suspend the sale of Marek Hamsik to the Chinese club, as the payment method is not aligned with the previously agreed arrangements.”

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In an extraordinary twist, Napoli have announced they will “suspend” the sale of Marek Hamsik to Dalian Yifang, as the payment method has changed, but the wording leaves it open.

The deal had been all set and the player given a surprise farewell party by his teammates last night.

However, this evening Napoli released a statement via their official website declaring the situation had been practically abandoned.

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Napoli teammates and friends held a surprise farewell party for Marek Hamsik ahead of his move to Dalian Yifang.

The Slovakia international is heading to China after 12 years at this club and city, with a transfer expected to be completed within the next 48 hours.

He was led to a secret location and told it would be an intimate dinner with a couple of close friends, but it turned into a massive surprise bash with the entire squad present, fireworks, a huge cake in the shape of his 17 jersey and stadium-style songs.

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Marek Hamsik’s father has revealed that his son should complete his move to China “in 48 hours”, and insists “he would never accept other offers”.

The 31-year-old has been with the Partenopei since 2007, and has gone on to score 121 goals for the club in over 500 appearances.

With a move to Dalian Yifang imminent, Richard Hamsik has explained the delay in confirming the deal and the reasons behind his son’s departure.

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Marek Hamsik has confirmed that he will be leaving Napoli for Dalian Yifang ‘either tomorrow or the day after’.

Hamsik made the announcement during a visit at the Daniel Defoe private school in Naples on Tuesday morning.

“I’m leaving tomorrow or the day after,” he was quoted as saying by Tuttomercatoweb and Calciomercato.com.

The school - which both of his sons attend - posted pictures of a farewell party for the the midfielder on their official Facebook page.

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Napoli will reportedly earn at least €18m from selling Marek Hamsik to Dalian Yifang, who will pay the midfielder a minimum of €27m over three years.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Napoli are working on a permanent sale for Hamsik as opposed to a loan with an obligation to buy.

That means the Partenopei will pocket €18m from Dalian up front, with the Chinese club also liable for €2m in bonuses.

Gianluca Di Marzio already reported on Monday evening that the Slovak will earn €9m a season plus bonuses for the next three years.

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Ciro Immobile’s agent has admitted that there was ‘slight risk’ of Lazio losing the striker to Dalian Yifang last month.

Lazio rejected a €60m bid from Dalian for Immobile towards the end of last month, and Alessandro Moggi confessed that while the 28-year-old and the Aquile were ‘very happy’ together, he was unable to definitively rule out a sale in January.

“There was very slight risk [of a sale],” he told Sky Sport Italia.

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Marek Hamsik says he remains a Napoli player but only because ‘there’s still nothing official’ with Chinese club Dalian Yifang.

It seems a matter of when not if Hamsik joins Dalian, who already have former Inter and Milan target Yannick Carrasco on their books, and the Napoli captain gave an update on his proposed transfer.

“We’re not here for me, we’re here for Dr De Nicola,” the Slovak told Tuttomercatoweb from the 60th birthday party of Partenopei chief medic Alfonso De Nicola.

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Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis suggests Marek Hamsik is joining Dalian Yifang “to get a rich pension,” because he saw Fabian Ruiz was better.

Sky Sport Italia claim this evening that Hamsik has already signed the three-year contract with the Chinese Super League club, where he will earn €3m per year.

“Hamsik has shown his impeccable professionalism at Napoli, with the city, the team and all the Coaches he worked with, never betraying anyone, even in the most difficult moments,” De Laurentiis told Vista news agency.

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