Toni plays down West Ham link

Toni expects to return to Italy (GETTY IMAGES)

Bayern Munich's out-of-favour striker Luca Toni is adamant that he will return home to Italy in the January transfer window.

The 32-year-old has scored 51 goals in 80 appearances for the German giants in just over two seasons at the Allianz Arena, but has dropped out of the side since the arrival of head coach Louis van Gaal last summer.

Recently Toni has been linked with West Ham United, but he is happy to head home to Serie A, with Napoli his most likely destination.

He told Chi: "I don't know yet which team I will play for, but I know for sure that I will be going back to Italy.

"Here in Germany I have made mistakes, which I regret. These errors will probably cost me the chance to participate in the World Cup in South Africa, but I hope Marcello Lippi still calls on me.

"I am not beaten, the desire for football is still strong within me. I'll stop playing once I feel no more emotion - this is not that time."