Nakata denies rejecting Lazio

Lazio admitted defeat in their attempts to bring the midfielder to the Eternal City from Parma, with general manager Luca Baraldi saying the deal was dead.

However, Nakata has now muddied the waters once again by saying the reports of him rejecting the move are false.

"It isn't true I said no to Lazio," the Japanese ace said. "Because nobody has asked me anything.

"The talk I have refused this offer is just a press lie, because I have spoken to no-one.

"So, there is nothing to say and I don't think that Parma received an offer for me."

Nakata was somewhat evasive when asked to comment on his aims for the season.

He added: "At the moment, I have no aims, that's to say Uefa place, standings, points and so on.

"For the moment it's important doing good things match by match, then we will see."

Nakata is looking for Parma to start well in Serie A against Bologna.

"Psychologically it will be important starting in a good way. We will need this to give us optimism," he concluded.