Tuesday 15 July 2014 20:35, UK
Alvaro Negredo is 'happy' and 'settled' at Manchester City and has no intention of leaving the Premier League club.
It had been suggested that the Spain international could return to his homeland this summer after just one season in England.
City are looking to generate funds ahead of the imminent arrival of Eliaquim Mangala in another big-money deal.
Negredo could be among those moved out, with the 28-year-old said to be keen on the idea of a return to La Liga.
He has, however, taken the opportunity to rubbish the rumours by insisting that he remains fully committed to the Premier League champions.
I had a difficult end to the season and that’s why there has been a lot of talking but I’ve been very happy here from the first day I arrived.
During a Q&A session on CityTV, Negredo said on the exit talk: “I don’t want to leave City. I’m very happy and very settled here.
“I had a difficult end to the season and that’s why there has been a lot of talking but I’ve been very happy here from the first day I arrived.”
On suggestions that he is feeling homesick, Negredo added: “No. Maybe a bit more on the personal side than when we talk about football but I don’t cry easily.
“I am sensible but I have to love that person a lot to feel homesick.”
Negredo can look back positively on his debut season at City as he netted 23 times in all competitions.
He did, however, suffer a dip in form towards the end of the campaign and ended up missing out on a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.
Asked to pick out his most difficult opponent from the first 12 months of his English adventure, Negredo said: “One of them was (Martin) Skrtel from Liverpool. A very strong player who fights for every ball and is one of the centre-backs that I like the most.”
