Tuesday 6 January 2015 13:47, UK
Manchester City defender Micah Richards is to remain on loan at Fiorentina for the rest of the season, according to Sky sources.
The England international, 26, joined the Serie A club on a season-long loan in the summer but is reportedly the interest of a number of Premier League clubs wanting to bring him back to England on a permanent deal this month.
Sky sources understand Richards is happy in Italy and it would take a big offer for both City and the player to cut short the loan and contemplate a move elsewhere.
Sky Sports New HQ reporter Fraser Dainton said: “There has been speculation of return to the Premier League this month for Richards, with Chelsea a club linked.
“But a source has told me that, unless something pretty exceptional happens over the next month, Richards will be staying with Fiorentina.”
Richards came through the ranks at City and made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2005, playing over 200 times for the club in subsequent nine-year period at Eastlands.
Richards has 13 caps for England but has not been selected since 2012. He represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
He has made eight appearances for Fiorentina, who are eighth in Serie A.
