Cristiano Lucarelli Ready for Parma

Cristiano Lucarelli is ready to pack his bags for Italy and Parma seem to be leading the race to secure his loan.

The former Livorno hero left the peninsula for Shakhtar Donetsk last summer in search of Champions League football, but the Ukrainians fell at the first hurdle.

Now, the Azzurri hitman has made it clear that he wants to return to Serie A and Coach Mircea Lucescu has said that he can leave on a temporary basis.

The No 99’s wage demands have put off many, including original favourites Torino and Genoa, but Parma are believed to have greater financial clout.

Reports suggest that the Ducali are willing to make a payment of nearly £2.5m to take on Lucarelli as long as Donetsk pay the majority of his salary.

Parma have been goal shy as they wait on star striker Igor Budan to recover from a long-term injury.

Bernardo Corradi has impressed on loan from Manchester City, but he is expected to return to Eastlands in the summer without a permanent switch.

Should they fail to lure Lucarelli, Parma are being linked with Triestina’s Uruguayan starlet Pablo Granoche who is scoring freely in Serie B.

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