Italian left back Andrea Dossena has asked to leave the club a year after arriving for £7m.

Having failed to establish himself in the team, the 27 year old has asked manager Rafa Benitez for a transfer, having recently been linked with a return to Italy with Juventus.

Dossena was signed form Udinese as a replacement for the departing John Arne Riise, but he has made just 12 appearances and found himself behind Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua at the end of the season, used more often on the left of midfield rather than defence.

Dossena is now back in Italy for the summer and said ‘œBefore coming back to Italy I talked to Benitez and explained to him my doubts. I told him I wanted to leave. He is an exceptional person and understood my problem.

‘œHe told me that if they receive an offer that satisfies both the club and me, he will take it into consideration and try to facilitate my transfer.

‘œI would run to Juve. They showed interest in me last year, but then Liverpool stepped in and wrapped things up in less than an hour.

‘œOf course I would accept an offer. You’re talking about one of the biggest clubs in Europe.’