Italian eyes on Donati

Hoops midfielder attracting interest from Serie A

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 8th January 2009

Italian eyes on Donati

Donati: Out of favour

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Celtic's Italian midfielder Massimo Donati could be set for a January return to his homeland.

The 27-year-old has endured a frustrating 18-month spell in Scotland, failing to hold down a regular first-team spot at Parkhead.

He has been restricted to just two starts for the club this season, with Hoops boss Gordon Strachan favouring Paul Hartley and Barry Robson in the middle of the park.

Unsurprisingly, Donati's lack of action has seen him become the focus of much transfer speculation.

His former employers AC Milan and Atalanta are believed to have expressed an interest in his services, while Serie A strugglers Lecce have also been linked with a £1million approach.

"It is not impossible Massimo will return to Italy before February," Donati's agent Claudio Pasqualin told Italian radio.