who next? paulo rossi?
they desperate.
Zola linked to Aussie A-League
AFP
October 30, 2006
SYDNEY (AFP) - Former Italian international Gianfranco Zola has been linked with a guest stint at several clubs in Australia's A-League, reports have said.
Zola, 40, who retired in June last year after two seasons with Cagliari, has been linked with Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory, the reports said monday.
Interest in the 35-times capped Zola follows a brief guest appearance by compatriot Benito Carbone at Sydney FC, which was ended by a hamstring injury and disagreement over financial terms for a longer contract.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Sydney Morning Herald said Zola, a fan favourite in 229 games for Chelsea in England's Premier League from 1996 to 2003, was contemplating a pre-Christmas guest stint in Australia.
Sydney FC chief executive George Perry said later Monday no immediate contact had been made with Zola, but said the club would be keen to sign the Italian.
"If the opportunity arose and we had a chance to talk to (Zola), and he was fit and the price was right, we'd certainly want to talk to him," Perry said.
"We'd like to have a marquee or guest player on our books, that's for sure."
The newspaper said one of Zola's major sponsors is keen to have him play in Australia's largest city and is hoping to finalise a deal in time for Sydney's three successive home games next month.
Perry also refused to rule out a return for Carbone to Sydney FC.
"We'd love to have Beni back. I know he'd like to come back, it's just a matter of whether he's fit and willing to play," he said.
