Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano had recently admitted that he turned down an offer from China just to stay with his club in Italy even as his relationship with team president Massimo Ferrero continued to deteriorate.

The 34-year-old Italian striker is rumored to be having a dispute with La Samp president Ferrero about his playing time and compensation and had even warned of boycotting games if his requests are not met.

Like Us on Facebook

However, I Blucerchiati hired a new manager last month, former Empoli coach Marco Giampaolo, to replace Cassano's favorite mentor and former Roma teammate Vincenzo Montella, which changed the dynamics of the situation.

Cassano still has one-year left in his contract, but the new head coach told the president that the veteran forward is "no longer wanted" at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris moving forward, as per ESPN.

The player's wife then posted on social media that Cassano "had no problem sitting out the remainder of his contract without playing and 'getting changed with the kitmen'", which said to have further angered Ferrero.

In a recent television interview, Ferrero messaged Cassano to "get lost and go to where he is wanted" rather than "continuing this standoff with me".

"We had this agreement - he came here for one year and was playing little. When he was playing he was complaining, and when he wasn't playing he was complaining. I spoke with him and was crystal clear. He's done his time here," Ferrero said.

Cassano was acquired by Sampdoria last summer, his second stint with the club, after his contract with Serie D club SSC Parma Calcio was terminated. He was a former Sampdoria vice-captain and was one of the team's best goalscorers during his first stint.

Recently, Cassano's agent, Beppe Bozzo, disclosed that his client had turned down offers from China and Mexico because the player loves Sampdoria so much, via Football Italia.

"I want to make it clear that Cassano never said he wanted to leave if Vincenzo Montella was no longer the Coach, nor he did he have any other meetings in June, as he told the President - in the presence of director of sport Carlo Osti - that he'd have no problem being eighth choice at this team," Bozzo said.

"His love for Sampdoria goes beyond any other football considerations. Cassano has turned down lucrative offers from China and Mexico, because he wants to stay at Sampdoria. I invite President Ferrero to bury the hatchet, because there is no war here. We just have to focus on the good of Sampdoria without sparking controversy," the agent added.

TagsChina Football, China Football News, China football 2016, Antonio Cassano, Sampdoria