Sampdoria insist they're not moving for Newcastle United fullback Davide Santon.

The 21-year-old was being linked with the Marassi outfit after the club decided to appoint Ciro Ferrara as their new boss.

"Santon has decided to go and play in a country where the football is different from ours," Doria sporting director Pasquale Sensibile said.

"He is a player who is not part of our transfer objectives."