Rossi staying at Villarreal

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will not be leaving the Spanish side for Serie A, insists the club’s vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza.

Rossi, whose agent said he was upset following the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City in midweek, has long been linked with a return to Italy.

Juventus were reportedly keen on signing him during the summer but talks collapsed over a 30 million euro transfer fee.

Napoli were then linked with the 24-year-old after coach Walter Mazzarri and president Aurelio De Laurentiis said they were interested in signing him.

Recent reports claimed Juventus have reignited their interest in Rossi and view him as a replacement for Alessandro Del Piero whose contract in Turin expires at the end of the season.

Llaneza made it clear that Rossi is staying at Villarreal.

“We are very happy with the way Rossi has been playing this season, but his excellent performances are nothing new to us,” Llaneza told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

“Will we sell him? This is not our intention at all. We are happy with what he is doing for us and we have no reason to sell.”

“There is nothing regarding Juventus. Giuseppe is staying with Villarreal.”

Villarreal are set to welcome Levante to El Madrigal on Sunday in La Liga.