Stephan El Shaarawy: 'I want to stay at AC Milan'

AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy has insisted that he plans to remain with the club in the long term, despite interest from other clubs for his services.

El Shaarawy, who is currently injured, said that he is looking forward to playing for the club's new head coach Clarence Seedorf, who has been his teammate at the club in the past.

"I've been dogged by bad luck," he told Corriere dello Sport. "In September I had a muscular problem, and since then I have had a succession of niggles. And it culminated in December with the operation on my foot. It's important for me to get back to Milan as soon as possible and try to heal.

"I owe Allegri a lot – he immediately gave me confidence when I came into the team. But I've had Seedorf as a teammate and he helped me in the locker room in the past. I know he can do a great job.

"There has been an offer from a Russian team, but I decided to stay at Milan because that's what I want. It's my intention to become a champion here."

El Shaarawy has played 63 times in Serie A for Milan.