On-loan Manchester City striker Nery Castillo's agent has played down speculation linking his client with a return to Mexico.

Reports in Mexico have linked the 23-year-old forward with a move to Guadalajara less than six months after he joined City on a one-year loan deal from Shakhtar Donetsk.

According to the reports, Guadalajara's board have enquired about Castillo's contractual situation as they step up their efforts to replace Omar Bravo, who has joined Deportivo La Coruna.

Castillo has struggled to find form in England after breaking a bone in his shoulder on his City debut in January. He failed to find the net in eight subsequent league and cup appearances after returning to action.

Ongoing uncertainty over the future of City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is in turn casting doubt on Castillo's future at the City of Manchester Stadium, but the player's agent, Juan Carlos Padilla, insists his future remains in Europe for now.

Padilla told Mediotiempo.com: "I have not talked to any Guadalajara director.

"I'm sure Nery will complete his spell in Europe. Nery is a very young player and we know he is going to have a superb form soon.

"He is an important player in an important team, so I have to say that, at least at this moment, it is a definitive 'no'."

Padilla added: "Even though it has been a difficult year for Nery, we cannot think about going back.

"When players succeed in football is because they know how to step up. Next season, he will succeed.

"Then we'll see if he can play in Mexico, but it will happen in five to nine years."

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