Italian wonderkid hints at Napoli exit; Diego ponders Atletico future

Italian wonderkid hints at Napoli exit

Italian midfielder Lorenzo Insigne has indicated that he doesn’t want to warm the bench at San Paolo.

The attacking midfielder has largely impressed while on loan at Pescara and he is even tipped to make Italy’s Euro 2012 squad.

The 20-year-old is expected to return to Napoli at the end of the season and he could slot right into the starting line-up if the Azzurri decide to cash in on Marek Hamsik or Ezequiel Lavezzi.

However, if the Three Tenors remain at San Paolo, Insigne admits he could move elsewhere in search of first team football.

“If I have to sit on the bench or watch from the stands, then I’d prefer to play elsewhere,” Insigne told Il Corriere dello Sport.

“Of course I am from Naples and I’ve never hidden my dream to wear the Napoli shirt, but I’m young and I want to be on the field playing.”

Insigne has been in brilliant form over the last two seasons and after impressing for Foggia in the third tier last term, he has helped Pescara climb to third place in Serie B, having scored 11 goals in 27 league games.

Diego ponders Atletico future

Brazilian playmaker Diego admits that he doesn’t know whether he will stay at Atletico Madrid after his loan deal ends in the summer.

The highly rated midfielder joined Wolfsburg in a big money move from Juventus in August 2010, but experienced numerous problems during his first season with the Wolves.

Following numerous clashes with coach Felix Magath, the Brazilian was farmed out on loan to Atletico Madrid last summer.

Diego managed to kick-start his career at Vicente Calderon, but he is not sure he has done enough to earn a permanent move to los Colchoneros.

“Anything can happen,” the 27-year-old told German newspaper Kicker. “I am very happy in Madrid, but I also felt very good at VfL – despite all the problems.

“I’ve made many mistakes in Wolfsburg. But the relationship with the coach is fine.”

The 27-year-old has featured in 21 La Liga games this season, scoring two goals in the process, while bagging two more in club’s Europa League campaign.

Farfan now wants Schalke stay

Schalke winger Jefferson Farfan has changed his mind about leaving the club, German newspaper Bild understands.

The Peruvian midfielder, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, rejected a new contract offer from Schalke chiefs earlier this year, hinting that he would leave the club at the end of the season.

However, in the lack of interest for his services, the player appears to have changed his mind and he now wants to negotiate a contract extension.

According to Bild, the player’s representative had a secret meeting with club chiefs yesterday as he wanted to know the club’s stance on the matter.

Meanwhile, Chinedu Obasi, who was brought as a replacement for Farfan, has signed a permanent contract with the Miners, but general manager Horst Heldt explains that doesn’t necessarily mean Farfan will leave.

“Obasi’s signing doesn’t automatically mean that Farfan leaves,” Heldt was quoted as saying in Bild.

“We want to keep the quality in the squad. If Farfan really want, we will talk to him. The door is not…”

For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2011/12 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.