Channel4.com
Monday is D-Day for Gila
Sunday 17 July, 2005
Alberto Gilardino’s agent insists the striker’s future will be resolved on Monday – with the player joining Milan or staying at Parma.
"The ultimatum of either joining Milan or remaining will expire tomorrow," said Beppe Bonetto on Sunday evening.
"If no deal is reached over the next few hours then it is not certain by any means that Milan will still be ready to sign him if Parma change their mind in ten days time."
It had looked almost certain that the Italian international would join the Rossoneri in a £17m transfer.
But the proposed switch has been held up by Parma's administrators, who now want the club to sell the star to the highest bidder rather than simply to his preferred destination.
"A judge has decided that an auction was needed. I can't say I am happy because I am not a house or an object, but a person," explained the 23-year-old.
"I have spent three fantastic years at Parma, but everyone knows the situation. For me it is time to leave, and it's fairly obvious that I would go to Milan for professional reasons.
"Between the big clubs - those who are in the Champions’ League - only Milan have made an offer.
"The others have done nothing, probably because football has changed and you have to be very specific in your transfer aims now.
"I want to stay in Italy and go to Milan. They have shown me a plan for the future and how I fit into that."
Indeed, the player’s agent believes that only one other club have made an attempt to land the forward.
"As far as I know, Fiorentina have bid more or less the same figure as Milan," continued Bonetto.
"But talks didn’t get going because the player doesn’t want to move to Florence. He just wants Milan – it is as simple as that."