All hopes of snapping up AC Milan defender Cristian Zaccardo seem to be over as the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner has reportedly rejected the offer to play with Indian Super League side FC Pune City.
It was just days back that Italian media reported of the 33-year-old centre-back's interest in joining the ISL side, but now it has all come down to money, and Zaccardo doesn't seem satisfied with the offer put forward to him by Pune.
According to Sky Sport Italia, the defender was made an offer worth $300,000 (£193,500 or €273,500, around ₹1.95crore) including bonuses, by the Hrithik Roshan co-owned side.
However, the player is reportedly demanding $400,000 (£258,000 or €364,700, around ₹2.6crore), and he is also not willing to budge from his stand.
The report has been confirmed by Goal, and they have stated that the FC Pune City have revealed that the latest demands by Zaccardo has come as a shock to them, and they are not going forward in their pursuit of the experienced defender.
Zaccardo – whose current contract at San Siro expires next summer – made just about three appearances in the Serie A last season.
A report from Italian news website Forza Italian Football has also gone on to say that it isn't the first time Zaccardo turned down an offer away from Milan, and this attitude has made him quite unpopular among football fans.
Pune City coach David Platt has made some good reinforcements in several departments of his side this summer as they look ahead to ISL 2.0.
English defender Nicky Shorey remains the only overseas defender in the club roster at the moment, but the presence of Indian defensive rock Gouramangi Singh also powers the backline.
It is also to be noted that Ivory Coast's most-capped player Didier Zokora – who is mainly a defensive midfielder – can also ply his trade in the centre-back position as and when required.
