Stefano Fiore has confirmed that he is keen on a return to Italy after a disappointing season with Valencia.

The midfielder joined the Spanish club in the summer along with Lazio team-mate Bernardo Corradi, but he has endured a disappointing campaign, especially since Antonio Lopez replaced Claudio Ranieri as coach. .

“It’s difficult for me to stay in Spain, unless there are sudden changes at Valencia which I don’t think are possible,” Fiore explained to Corriere dello Sport.

“I would like to come back to Italy, with Valencia we are talking about this.

“For the club I’ve been an important investment that hasn’t worked out and we are trying to find a way that could satisfy both sides.

“I think in a couple of weeks there could be a more definite situation, I want to play.

“I want to try to win the 2006 World Cup and so next season for me will be really important.

“Italian contacts? Something but not definite ones.

“Lazio? I’d be happy to come back to Lazio, should there be the possibility to come back I’d seriously take this possibility into consideration.”

Fiore accused Che boss Lopez of not giving him a chance since replacing Ranieri midway through the season.

“More than penalised I can say that the new coach Antonio Lopez definitively closed the team’s doors to me,” Fiore continued.

“In 15 days I have played only once, he didn’t give me explanations but I think he didn’t know me a lot and for this reason he preferred to utilise the players he knew better.

“Surely he never gave me a chance and I don’t think it’s right.

“It has been a strange season, in the summer there was firstly the European Championship, then my move.

“Then Valencia sent me to Japan for a tour and there hasn’t been the time for a right introduction.

“During the Christmas period I felt good but I have never played with continuity, in the Champions League I practically never played.

“I take my responsibility but if I don’t play I can’t show an adequate performance.”