MASSIMO Maccarone's agent warned Middlesbrough last night that the striker is considering a return to Italy in just two years' time.

With Serie A clubs already circling the Riverside following Maccarone's explosive start to his Premiership career, Pablo Fabbri's comments are likely to cause consternation among Boro fans.

Juventus and Lazio were interested in Maccarone when he moved to Middlesbrough in the summer for a club record £8.15m fee.

And former Boro striker Marco Branca was despatched to Old Trafford a fortnight ago to watch the 22-year-old on behalf of Inter.

Boro have already strenuously denied that Maccarone's contract contains a clause that gives Roma the option to sign him at the end of the season.

But Fabbri's comments will still concern Boro, just two months into the Italy international's five-year deal.

He said: "Massimo doesn't want to leave and go back to Italy for two or three years.

"But it depends on Middlesbrough. If an important club come in for Massimo and Middlesbrough want to sell him, Massimo won't say 'no'.

"But if Middlesbrough want to keep him, he's more than happy to stay."

Maccarone has scored three goals in six games for Boro and has been integral to his new side's promising start to the campaign.

After eulogising about his new surroundings last week - claiming he likes much-maligned Teesside because it is "clean and quiet with plenty of greenery and close to Scotland" - the former Empoli forward is also enjoying life on the field as well as off it.

But Fabbri told Middlesbrough's Premiership rivals that Maccarone will only get better as the season goes on.

The agent added: "I think Massimo will improve more and more. He's not doing great at the moment; he'll do much better, and he'll reach his peak fitness later this season.

"Massimo is excited because people like him. He loves the place and he has a good relationship with the fans, his manager and his teammates.

"It's the kind of football he likes because there are a lot of chances."

* Icelandic teenager Sigurdur Donys, who will begin a six-week trial with Middlesbrough shortly, has revealed he is also wanted by Manchester United.

Donys, 16, accepted Boro's offer of an extended trial after doing well during a four-day spell on Teesside earlier this month.

But the Old Trafford club, as well as Newcastle United, are trying to steal him from under Middlesbrough's noses.

He said: "There has been contact from a few big European clubs, including Manchester United and Newcastle.

"Manchester United told me that they'd be watching my progress during the next few weeks.

"And Newcastle are going to wait and see how I like my stay at Middlesbrough."

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