Anelka, Trezeguet, Del Piero and now Antonio Di Natale! SoccerPlus has learned that Montreal can now add the name of 34-year-old Italian striker to the list of reputed European players declining to join MLS side.
A well-informed source, with connections on both sides of the Atlantic, said the Canadian side offered between $3 and 4 million to the Udinese captain, but he turned the offer down flatly. The 2010 Italian Footballer of the Year, and top goal scorer in Serie A that same year, will be out of contract on July 1, 2012, making him a very attractive target for Montreal and other MLS clubs with available designated player spots.
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Whatever comes out of this, it is now clear that Joey Saputo and Nick DeSantis are working hard to bring a high profile designated player and this can only mean good for the club’s fans and marketing department.
Whether this new high-paid player will bring results on the field is still a big 'if' and it bares reminder that there are not that many DP success stories in this league.
DI VAIO, CLOSER THAN EVER
Most of our sources around the club are convinced, more than ever, that Bologna striker, Marco DiVaio, is coming to Quebec this summer.
However, the Italian’s agent, Federico Pastorello, told our colleagues at 98.5FM that he’s not aware of any transfer negociations with the Serie A side, but he did confirm that his client’s next contract could well be outside of Italy.
The key statement from Pastorello is the following:
“Marco is presently focused on completing his season.”
Once again, Joey Saputo said he’d rather not identify his DP target to “let the player complete his season and focus on his current club.”
Local fans will be glad to find out another little gem of information stemming from the interview with Jeremy Filosa: Di Vaio speaks French.