Udinese have confirmed plans to sign a new midfielder in January.

Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo has been linked with the Serie A high flyers.

"The Palombo road is one that we can't go down," Udinese sporting director Fabrizio Larini, however, insists.

"He decided to stay in Genoa over the summer and I don't expect him to take a backwards step - at least not during this season.

"Even if he is made available for transfer, it seems to me that clubs such as Fiorentina and Juventus are already on him."