Manchester United are eying up Napoli captain Mark Hamsik to act as a potential replacement for Paul Scholes, and sent out scouts to watch the central midfielder on Monday night – according to Italian media outlet, Corriere dello Sport.

The Slovakian international played in front of scouts from Barcelona, Real Madrid and United in his side’s 3-0 defeat to AC Milan at the San Siro.

Hamsik, 23, also captains his country and has represented Slovakia on 43 occasions since making his debut at just 19, scoring eight goals.

He is highly rated and is expected to complete a move to a big European club either this summer, depending on whether or not the Serie A side qualify for the Champions League this season (currently placed 3rd, a point behind Internazionale).

Sport.es have also reported that Barcelona are keen on signing Hamsik and are confident that they can bring the Slovakian to Spain, despite Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis’s vouch to keep the player at the club.

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