The West Ham United man wants to re-join an Italian club, according to reports from Italy.
Il Secolo XIX has reported that West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna wants a return to Italy this summer.
The Italian newspaper suggests that Serie A outfit Sampdoria will consider the 29-year-old centre-back as an option to potentially replace highly-rated Milan Skriniar, who has been linked with a switch to Inter Milan.
And Il Secolo XIX goes on to state that the Italy international – signed from Juventus in 2015 – wants a return to his homeland.
If true then it will come as a blow to West Ham after his importance to the team was underlined in the second half of the 2016-17 campaign.
Ogbonna missed half of last season with a knee injury sustained in January, and the Irons struggled in his absence.
He underwent knee surgery following an injury in a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough, and Slaven Bilic’s side managed to win only one of their subsequent nine Premier League outings in a run of horrendous form which included six defeats.
He should, in theory, be ready for the start of next season after starting West Ham’s 2-1 win at Burnley on the final day of the campaign and Bilic should do everything in his power to ensure that his centre-back is still at the club.
Then again, his five-month layoff might have had adverse affects on his game.
Jose Fonte is a capable defender but the last five months of last season proved that he is not in Ogbonna’s league.
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