Aloisi contract not out, Panathinaikos claims
Panathinaikos says talks with Osasuna striker John Aloisi have not broken down, despite media reports that the Australian international failed a medical. The 29-year-old signed a three-year deal with the Greek side last week but a knee problem reportedly came to light during the medical. Greek media reported that Aloisi is refusing an altered one-year deal and that talks between the two parties have broken down. «The newspapers are reporting this but nothing is settled,» a Panathinaikos official told Reuters. «We will make an announcement when we have something to announce.» Aloisi, who is available on a free transfer, has also been linked with Premier League sides Portsmouth and Manchester City, as well as clubs in France, Spain and Italy. Earlier reports claimed that Panathinaikos would resume its search for a striker after news the Australian international had failed a medical test due to a knee injury. Aloisi has denied there is a problem, according to daily newspaper Ta Nea. The paper also said Aloisi has refused to cancel his three-year contract and that Panathinaikos wants him to sign a one-year deal instead. Aloisi was joint second top goalscorer at last month’s Confederations Cup in Germany with four goals. Brazil’s Adriano scored five. The Australian, who joined Spain’s Osasuna in 2001 after playing for Coventry in England’s Premier League, has figured as the replacement for Panathinaikos’s Cypriot striker Michalis Konstantinou. He is seeking a transfer. Panathinaikos has also been trying to sign Brazil midfielder Flavio Conceicao from Turkey’s Galatasaray. Ta Nea said Panathinaikos had reached a deal with the player, but failed to agree on terms with Galatasaray. (Reuters, AP)
