YORK City boss Russ Wilcox does not believe Diego De Girolamo will become distracted by talk of a summer move to Juventus.

It is believed the Italian giants, currently 11 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, are ready to table a bid for the on-loan Sheffield United striker, who is at Bootham Crescent until the end of the season.

De Girolamo, 19, turned down a new deal with the Blades early this year and has caught the attention of the two-time European champions while on international duty with Italy under-20s.

Due to his age, the Sky Bet League One outfit would be entitled to a compensation fee for the out-of-contract forward and are believed to value him in the region of £350,000.

Wilcox, meanwhile, has no concerns over De Girolamo’s focus despite the head-turning overtures from one of the world’s most famous clubs.

“He’s a very level-headed lad for 19 who knows what he wants,” the City boss explained. “It was a big decision to let his contract run down at Sheffield United and he will be open to offers in the summer, but he’s come to do a job at York City which is great and, hopefully, he can get some more goals for us.”

Wilcox went on to joke that the Minnstermen had probably now been priced out of any bidding war for De Girolamo’s services, saying: “I don’t think York City will be able to compete with Juventus for him and it does not surprise me that they are interested because he’s a quality player.

“My only surprise is that other bigger clubs haven’t come in for him as well. It’s a credit to York City that we are doing things right for him to want to come back here and help us hold on to our Football League status.”

De Girolamo has never started a league game for his parent club but has netted four times in ten appearances for City and Wilcox believes his experience provides a fine example for any talented youngster pondering the pros and cons of a loan stint in the lower divisions.

“It sends a message out to a lot of players in under-21 sides at big clubs,” Wilcox reasoned.

“Sometimes, it pays off to go out and play competitive football where it really matters, even if that’s a couple of divisions down and at the wrong end of the table.

“It also tells you a lot about Diego’s character. People will have a lot of respect for him for doing what he’s done.

“He could have easily stayed at Sheffield United and been part of a bigger club playing the odd game here or there, but he wanted to go somewhere he is involved every Saturday.”

De Girolamo has also made a full recovery from the food poisoning illness that saw him miss Saturday’s trip to Wimbledon and will return to the City squad for this weekend’s home meeting with Carlisle.