Domenico Criscito’s agent Andrea D’Amico has effectively closed the door on a possible move back to Italy for the defender.
The 27-year-old, who currently pies his trade in the Russian Premier League for Zenit St. Petersburg, had been linked with a move to AC Milan in a swap deal that would have seen Ignazio Abate move to the former Russian capital.
D’Amico quashed such talks when speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli on Wednesday by stating that his client is likely to remain in Eastern Europe.
“Criscito will certainly remain in Russia,” he said.
“[Andre] Villas-Boas knows him well from a technical point of view and a personal one and has no intention of letting him go.
“If anything, he will be one of his most important players of his new team. Plus Zenit has no need for the money – they only release players when they do not fit into the team’s technical project.”
Criscito made his debut for Italy in 2009 and has been capped 22 times by the Azzurri.
Follow Shaun Moran on Twitter: @moranshaun
