The Italian pipeline worked once for the Montreal Impact's attack. Can lightning strike twice?
A report by Italy-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has former Italian international Alberto Gilardino, still under contract for two years with China’s Guangzhou Evergrande, joining the Impact this winter.
According to Gazzetta, the 32-year-old Gilardino would sign a permanent two-year deal with Montreal, who finished dead last in MLS last season. The club is looking for reinforcements not only to improve on their league performance, but also to set up their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal matchup against Pachuca, starting on Feb. 24 in Mexico.
Asked about the report, an Impact spokesperson denied that the club had made an offer to Gilardino, but added that the player’s profile is interesting.
Gilardino has been linked with Montreal for some time. Goal.com reported last week that Montreal had indeed offered Gilardino a deal in a bid to offset the loss of Italian striker and new retiree Marco Di Vaio, who scored 34 goals in 76 league games for Montreal over three seasons. According to this report, Gilardino would join Ignacio Piatti on the Impact’s Designated Player list.
A world champion with Italy in 2006, Gilardino has won 57 international caps, scoring 19 goals. He is a former teammate of former Impact defender Alessandro Nesta’s at both the club (Milan) and international level.
