Agent: No Rossi sale till August

Posted Monday, July 16, 2012 by ESPN

Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi has not attracted any concrete bids although Napoli could make their approach later on in August, according to agent Federico Pastorello.

The striker is continuing his recovery from a knee injury that has seen him out of action since December last year. It is expected that the Italian will only be fit and ready for games early next year and in the interim, continual speculation has linked him with a move away from the Spanish club.

Villarreal's shock relegation to the Segunda Division coupled with the striker's current condition could allow clubs to sign the striker for a bargain price with figures close to €4 million being quoted by various news outlets. Despite Rossi's injury-prone nature, he still boasts tremendous talent and potential and reports in the Italian media have linked him with a move to Napoli and Roma.

Pastorello insisted that there has been no approach from either clubs so far but remained hopeful that talks could begin over a transfer later in August with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said to be a noted admirer of the ex-Manchester United youth player.

"I read that Roma [were interested], but sincerely, no one has contacted us," stated Federico Pastorello on Sky Sport Italia.

"Meanwhile, there's nothing in Napoli's [rumoured] offer either.

"[Napoli President Aurelio] De Laurentiis likes him, as he stated himself, but the operation will take form in the second half of August."

Rossi has seen a number of his team-mates leave the club in recent weeks. Forward Marco Reuben joined Dynamo Kiev in an €8 million deal and his exit was preceded by that of Ivan Marcano and Diego Lopez who joined Rubin Kazan and Sevilla respectively.

Brazilian forward Nilmar is expected to join Qatari side Al Rayyan who announced on their website that negotiations with the player's agent were nearing an end.