Australia NewsSaudis Circle Bresciano |
SOCCEROO Mark Bresciano could be set for a shock move to the Middle East after local media linked the Palermo man with Saudi Arabian giants Al-Shabab.
According to Italian websites calcionews24.com and mediagol the Saudi Arabian club are ready to offer big money for the Australian international who has spent a decade playing in Italy's top divisions.
Saudi newspaper KSA has also repeated the story overnight. It's understood the wealthy club are prepared to offer Bresciano, 29, a lucrative pay packet to bolster their midfield.
Earlier in the European summer it had been reported Palermo were hoping to extend Bresciano's contract, which expires in 2010.
But Palermo's director of sport Walter Sabatini revealed there had been a stumbling block in negotiations with Bresciano along with his midfield teammate Fabio Simplicio.
"Bresciano and Simplicio? We want them. It is true that we have offered a contract that is lower than they expect. It is not a lack of respect for the players, but the result of the market," Sabatini said.
Bresciano joined Palermo in 2006 from Parma but has had a rollercoaster ride with the club after a series of management changes played havoc with his first team place.
He almost moved to Manchester City in 2007 and trained with the team ahead of finalising the deal but the transfer was called off in a row over the transfer payment.
Riyadh-based Al-Shabab won the Saudi Champions and Federation Cups last year and but haven't won the Saudi Premier League since 2006, finishing fourth last season.
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