Palermo vow to hold on to star Brazilian pair
ROME: Palermo have issued a hands- off warning to Europe's top clubs over star Brazilian pair Amauri and Simplicio.
Amauri is believed to be at the center of a transfer tug-of-war between Juventus and AC Milan while Simplicio is reportedly wanted by both Italian giants as well as Serie A champions Inter Milan and Spain's Valencia.
Some websites have reported that Palermo are willing to sell, but club president Maurizio Zamparini dismissed that.
"None of it is true, I don't know who's spreading these rumors," he said.
Even if Palermo do manage to hang onto the pair during this transfer window, they will surely depart for pastures new in the close season, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
Striker Amauri has impressed with seven league goals this season while midfielder Simplicio has been at the hub of Palermo's play all season.
Amauri, for one, has already spoken of his desire to move on to a higher level.
"I would like to play with players such as (Alessandro) Del Piero and (David) Trezeguet (of Juve), but also with Kaka (of Milan) it would be incredible," he said.
"Juve are Juve, Milan are world champions, Kaka is the Ballon d'Or winner. It would be an honour. It depends on who comes first..."
Palermo are rumoured to be looking at another Brazilian as a possible replacement in Tulio De Melo, a striker earning rave reviews in France with Le Mans and who is tied for second in the scoring charts with 10 league goals thusfar this term.
They are also believed to be interested in Lazio's out-of-favor midfielder Mourad Meghni, with both players thought to be possible summer transfer targets.
Meghni, like many French players of north African origin, was once talked about as the new Zinedine Zidane, but his career has failed to take off in the Italian captial.
AFP
(China Daily 01/04/2008 page22)
