Massimo Donati heading for Genoa

Last updated : 12 June 2009 By Mikbhoy

Now the forgotten Celtic midfielder wants to go home and Sampdoria and Cagliari are both interested in bringing him back to Serie A. "I would like to return to Italy." said Donati. "At 28 years of age I feel in the best moment of my career. I can still give a lot. I know that there are teams interested, but for now they are only opinions. Last year there was some friction with the coach Gordon Strachan. According to him, I missed an important appointment, which was the Champions League, and so I was put aside. I am still upset and from that moment I was on the 'outs', but I do not regret anything about my adventure in Scotland."

Donati spent a season on loan at Sampdoria in 2003/04 and the Genovese club are in pole position to sign the man who cost AC Milan £10m when they signed him from Atalanta in 2001 according to Donati's agent. Milan recouped £3m of their outlay when they sold Massimo to Celtic two years ago and the Italian still has two years left on that contract. "We have a number of different teams interested." said his agent Andrea D'Amico. "But Sampdoria are the most keen. It's just a question of reaching an agreement with Celtic to complete the transfer."

But 28-year-old Donati would actually prefer Atalanta it seems and he came close to a move there during the January transfer window. "I really would like to get home this time," said Donati. "There were talks in January but unfortunately things didn't work out. Hopefully, this time we'll find a solution for the sake of my career and my family. Atalanta would be perfect for me. It's my second home, my second family and I have only good memories of my time there. Palermo are a great club too, so why not?"

He may have had a frustrating time in Glasgow but he has no regrets about making the move and he would heartily recommend the experience to others. "I'd tell anyone to come and play here if they get the chance," he said. "Glasgow people live football, like nowhere else I've ever been."