Gilardino set for Milan
Alberto Gilardino has revealed that he has little desire to quit Italian football.
Parma striker Alberto Gilardino has revealed that he has little desire to quit Italian football with Milan leading the chase for his signature.Chelsea and Real Madrid are also firm admirers of the prolific hit-man but with the World Cup on the horizon, Gilardino is keen to remain in easy view of Italy boss Marcello Lippi.
At the weekend Milan stated they were confident that a deal would be concluded and now Gilardino has expressed his desire to move to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
''I'd like to stay in Italy - for the national team,'' Gilardino told Corriere dello Sport.
''In my aims there is a place in the Azzurri 23 for next year's World Cup in Germany.
''If I should go abroad I'd compromise this possibility.
''In Italy and Europe there aren't many teams like Milan, who as far as I know, are in pole position with this negotiation.
''But from here until the move is announced, anything can happen.''
Gilardino admits that he is flattered by purported interest from Spain and England but at this stage of his career has little inclination for foreign shores.
''I want to say what everyone knows - the market is strange,'' he concluded.
''The foreign sides who want me, Chelsea and Real Madrid are the strongest in the world.
''I must evaluate many things although as everybody knows it is not my dream to leave Italy at the age of 22.''
