Fabrizio Miccoli’s agent has confirmed his client is set to play in Dubai next season.
The Palermo striker will become a free agent on Sunday and is a reported target of United Arab Emirates club Al Nasr, coached by former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga.
“There is nothing official yet but there is an ongoing negotiation for Miccoli to move to Dubai,” Miccoli’s agent Francesco Caliandro told Sport Italia.
The 33-year-old joined Palermo from Juventus in 2007 and scored 16 goals in 28 league appearances for Palermo last season.
Parma snap up striker Pabon
Parma have signed striker Dorlan Pabon from Atletico Nacional Medellin, the Italian club confirmed yesterday.
The Serie A outfit have been looking to boost their attacking options after selling Italy playmaker Sebastian Giovinco to Juventus last week and have settled on the 24-year-old.
“It is with great satisfaction that we announce the acquisition of Colombian striker Dorlan Pabon from Atletico Nacional Medellin,” Parma said in a statement.
The Colombia international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Italian club.
Samp-Benitez talks break down
Sampdoria’s bid to appoint Rafael Benitez as manager has failed after negotiations broke down on Wednesday night.
The newly-promoted Serie A club revealed talks had ended “with mutual regret” after meeting with the former Liverpool and Inter boss in London this week.
“Following discussions held recently in London and subsequent contacts between UC Sampdoria and Mr Rafael Benitez, with mutual regret, the club and the Spanish manager agreed that the time for collaboration was not right,” the club said.
Owner Riccardo Garrone had revealed that he had been chasing Benitez despite coach Giuseppe Iachini still having a year to run on his deal.
Courtois returns to Atletico
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is to spend a second season on loan at Europa League winners Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish club confirmed the Belgium international would return to the Vicente Calderon after a successful spell in the capital last season.
After being immediately loaned out by Chelsea following his arrival from Racing Genk, the 20-year-old established himself as first choice at Atletico as they finished fifth in the Primera Division and won the Europa League.
Cosmi in for Sannino at Siena
Serse Cosmi has been appointed coach of Siena on a two-year deal, the Serie A club have announced.
The 54-year-old replaces Giuseppe Sannino, who has moved to Palermo.
Cosmi was most recently in charge of Lecce, but was unable to prevent them from being relegated to Serie B at the end of last season.
Siena finished 14th in the last campaign and Cosmi is hoping they can build on that.
“Siena have spent many years in Serie A and have always proved to have the right ambition,” he told www.acsiena.it.
“They are an important club and I am honoured to be here.”
Barcelona strike deal for Alba
Barcelona struck a deal yesterday to sign Valencia and Spain left-back Jordi Alba for €14 million on a five-year contract, the Catalan club said.
“Barcelona Football Club has today reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Jordi Alba, pending a medical which he will undergo in Barcelona next week,” a statement from the club said.
“The cost of the transfer will be €14 million and the player will sign a contract for the next five seasons,” it added.
Barcelona’s sports press had been buzzing with rumours of a northward move for Alba, 23, a Catalonia native who trained in Barca’s youth academy.
Poles to name coach on July 10
Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland will name a new coach within two weeks to replace Franciszek Smuda, who stood down after the Poles went out in the group stage, the Polish football association (PZPN) said.
“The names of the candidates will be made known on July 10, and the new coach will be chosen then,” said Agnieszka Olejkowska, spokeswoman for the PZPN.
“Time is marching on, and we need a quick decision in order to ensure that the team are prepared for their World Cup qualifiers,” she added.
Among the names circulating as a likely new coach, the front-runner is seen as Waldemar Fornalik, currently in charge of Ruch Chorzow.