Manchester United remain tight-lipped over claims by Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella that he is being targeted by the Premier League championsQuagliarella, 23, says United have increased a reported £10m bid to beat off opposition from top Serie A clubs.
Sampdoria say only an "extraordinary offer" would prise away Quagliarella, who is under contract until 2010.
Quagliarella told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I would gladly join the Premier League but I would prefer to remain in Italy."
Manchester United are a big deal but I would prefer to remain in Italy
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He joined Sampdoria from Ascoli last summer, although his sporting rights are jointly owned by the Genoa club and Udinese.
Quagliarella made 35 Serie A appearances for Sampdoria last season and his 13 goals and performances earned him a call-up by Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.
Earlier this month, he scored his first goals for the Azzurri in Italy's 2-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win against Lithuania.
Despite expressing an interest in a move to Manchester, Quagliarella insists his preference would be to stay in Italy to seal his place in the national team.
He said: "It seems a serious offer from Manchester, they have raised it and it is an important figure.
"Manchester United are a big deal and if it ended up going that way, the Premier League is a fascinating and beautiful competition.
"But I am really happy at Sampdoria and would prefer to remain in Italy, having continuity and the trust of Donadoni."
Barcelona's former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, while United striker Giusseppe Rossi has pleaded for a first-team chance.
Rossi, 20, was loaned out to Newcastle United at the start of last season before moving to Parma, where he enjoyed a goalscoring record that attracted the interest of Serie A clubs.
