Domenico Criscito has revealed that he wants to remain at Genoa next season despite signing for Juventus this week.
“I have made it clear in the past few months that I would like to stay at Genoa and I hope I will be able to do so for another year,” said the Napoli-born player to newspaper Secolo XIX.
The 20-year-old started his career in the Grifoni youth system before being signed in a co-ownership deal with the Old Lady.
But after impressing in Serie B this term – two goals in 16 games – the defender has been signed outright by the Italian giants, even if he will definitely stay in Genoa until the summer.
“President Enrico Preziosi asked me to sign a contract for Juventus and that is what I did,” added the Rossoblu stopper.
According to Preziosi, the Bianconeri have agreed to hand over £5.3m for Criscito, plus the co-ownership of Andrea Masiello and Abdoulay Konko, who currently plays for Siena.
Juve’s sporting director Alessio Secco had this week confirmed the club’s interest in the youngster for the future.
“We would like him back for our defensive plans,” he noted. “If that happens then he will stay and he will not be included in any future swap deal.”
Meanwhile, reports in Italy suggest that the Old Lady are also interested in netting Christoph Metzelder of Borussia Dortmund on a free.
The German international’s contract with the Bundesliga side expires at the end of term, but the 26-year-old demands a £2.5m a season wage which Juve are unwilling to match.
The Bianconeri are strengthening the squad in view of their likely return to Serie A and have already captured Zdenek Grygera from Ajax and Hasan Salihamidzic of Bayern Munich.
Rumours suggest that they have also reached an agreement with Barcelona attacker Javier Saviola.
5.3m £ and the co-ownership of two players
