Barca link flatters Rossi

Rossi: Scored opener in win over Estonia

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi remains unsure about his future as he prepares to go on holiday.

The 24-year-old Italy international has enjoyed a fine season, racking up a best-ever 18-goal tally to finish the campaign as the Spanish club's top scorer.

Tottenham expressed an interest in Rossi during the January transfer window and he looks certain to leave Villarreal in a bidding war between Barcelona, Juventus and Inter.

The former Manchester United man is about to enjoy a well-earned break after being on international duty with Italy over the weekend and he admits it is hard not to think about the transfer speculation linking him with European champions Barca.

"Seeing my name associated with a great club like Barcelona obviously has a certain effect on me. At the end of the day, we need to see what's real and what isn't "
Giuseppe Rossi Quotes of the week

"At the moment I don't know what my future holds, as the last few days I've been focused exclusively on the Nazionale," he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"The only thing I know is that tomorrow I'm going on vacation.

Great club

"Seeing my name associated with a great club like Barcelona obviously has a certain effect on me. At the end of the day we need to see what's real and what isn't.

"Are Barcelona my first choice? We'll wait and see what happens."

Rossi was speaking after Italy's 2-0 friendly defeat by the Republic of Ireland in Liege on Tuesday night, of which he played the first half.

But he played down the result after scoring in Friday's 3-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Estonia, which put the Azzurri five points clear at the top of Group C.

"It's a shame about the Ireland defeat," he said.

"But I think the Euro 2012 qualifying win was much more significant because we earned three very important points that mean we've almost certainly reached that tournament.

"We are all very happy with the season we've had and now want to take some time to relax."