Italian outfit Sampdoria have ruled out January sale of Antonio Cassano with several clubs interested in the striker, who has also been linked with Premiership side Manchester City.

The 26-year-old Italian international had joined the Serie A side from Real Madrid initially on loan in 2007, but he is now a permanent player with the Genoa-based club. City are apparently still tracking the temperamental star, who had ignored the English club last summer.

However, Sampdoria administrator Beppe Marotta has stressed that Cassano is a key player for the Blucerchiati and as such not for sale.

"Regarding the interest of Manchester City for Cassano I must say that Antonio will not leave Genoa in January," Marotta is quoted as saying on skysports.com.

"Since he arrived at Sampdoria, Antonio has delighted us with his fantastic play and it's normal that this will attract interest from great clubs in Europe, including Manchester City.

"But I wouldn't talk about an open negotiation, there are other clubs that want Antonio."

Cassano's agent, Giuseppe Bozzo, said: "Antonio is very, very happy at Sampdoria and he is only thinking of them.

"In the future you never know what will happen as it is impossible to predict the future.

"If Antonio would go to England he would like to play at a big club."