Zaccardo opens Palermo deal

Zaccardo pens Palermo deal
14.12 || webmaster

Source: Football Italia

Cristian Zaccardo has extended his stay at Palermo quashing speculation linking him with a move to Milan or Juventus.

Zaccardo, who moved to the Stadio Barbera from Bologna in 2004, has enjoyed a successful spell with the Sicilian outfit, where his performances have been rewarded by several call-ups to Marcello Lippi’s Italy team.

Indeed it was the 23-year-old’s winning goal against Slovenia that took the Azzurri through to the World Cup Finals in Germany, where he is hoping to establish himself in the right-back role.

Despite recent claims by Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini that he would be willing to sell his Italy stars, after a series of indifferent recent performances from them, it seems that Zaccardo has escaped any such fate.

"In 21 official matches we have only lost three times," said sporting director Rino Foschi, highlighting the efforts of the Rosanero rearguard.

Zaccardo, like fellow teammates and recently-capped internationals Fabio Grosso and Andrea Barzagli, has been linked with a move away from the island, with Juventus and Milan among the potential suitors.

Reports have specified that Zamparini would be willing to offload one of his Azzurri stars to Juve in a part-exchange deal for their young goalkeeper Antonio Mirante, who is currently on loan to Siena.

However, Foschi revealed that the clubs have some way to go before agreeing a price. "Zamparini asked to buy Mirante," explained the Rosanero director. "But, as usual, Luciano Moggi wanted double the amount offered."