Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
EXCLUSIVE - agent: 'Barcelona interested in Giovinco'
Giovinco’s agent Andrea D’Amico released an exclusive interview with calciomercato.com revealing some hot news about the product of the Juventus’ Academy as well as on some other of his clients, such as Domenico Criscito, Giulio Donati and Alberto Aquilani.
Mr. D'aMico, in the last few days, lot of rumors linked Andrea Pirlo with an Inter January move. Is Giovinco also thinking to come back?
“Not at all. Let me add that rumors concerning Pirlo are absolutely not true. He doesn’t want to come back, that’s obvious. The same can be said about Giovinco. He has never considered the possibility to come back in Italy. He’s a mainstay of FC Toronto and the club don’t even think about selling him. They want to strengthen the squad and Giovinco is part of the project.”
So, do you totally rule out his loan even before the MLS’ kick off in March? “Absolutely yes.”
Rumors have also linked Giovinco with a Barcelona move, anything true here?
“Actually, the Blaugrana are scouting him since long time. No concrete approach, by the way, only a general interest.”
Any chance to see Criscito joining a Serie A club in the near future?
“Zenit Saint Petersburg’s objective is to play a positive Champions League campaign, and they’re the only side that managed to win all their games thus far.”
Was he really close o join Inter last summer?
"Their interest was real, but Zenit didn’t want to sell him. They’re financial health did not force them to sell any of their best players, so Inter couldn’t sign Criscito. Another one who is playing very well in the Champions League is Giulio Donati.”
Was Fiorentina’s interest concrete?
"We were in talks with the Tuscans, but, again, Donati’s club (Bayer Leverkusen) believe in him. He is a regular there and I don’t see many chances for Italian teams to sign him in the future.”
Alberto Aquilani has recently joined Sporting Lisbon and in the last few days also former Inter’s man Schelotto signed with the Portuguese side. His € 45 million release clause left many people perplexed. Can you comment this decision?
“It’s just something related to the club’s policy. Schelotto’s contract will expire at the end of the season, so his release clause doesn’t mean a lot. If the club won’t extend his contract he could also ask to rescind with the club.”
