The man who destroyed England on Monday night could spend the next four years without kicking a ball at club level.

Manuel Rui Costa, who mesmerized Kevin Keegan's midfield with his radar-like vision and arsenal of tricks, has received a clear message from Fiorentina chairman Vittorio Cecchi Gori: 'Shut up and play for us or I will ruin your career.' The 28-year-old Rui Costa has asked Fiorentina for a transfer, but the club insist he is obligated to see out the remaining four years of his contract.

'I have spent six seasons in Florence and I've had some wonderful times,' he said. 'But now it is time to move on. 'Things have changed and I am not happy. It is nothing against the fans or the people of Florence, but I am not going to play for Fiorentina any longer.'

The player is reportedly frustrated with the club's management, after the sale of striker Gabriel Batistuta to Roma for £20million and the hiring of former Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim.

Clubs in Spain and Germany, as well as Serie A giants AC Milan and Parma, are interested in him and it is understood he would fetch between £20m and £23m.

Yet Cecchi Gori refused to budge and said: 'Rui Costa signed a contract which has four years to run. He is not for sale and will not play for anybody else until his contract expires. I don't care what he says or does.

'He can either play for Fiorentina or sit around, and not play for four years and ruin his career.'