Italian-American businessman Frank Cascio confirmed he is in "rapidly advancing talks" with Serie A side Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini to buy into the club, according to FOOTBALL ITALIA. Zamparini "has threatened for many years to sell the club and this summer appears to be taking it a step closer to reality." Cascio arrived at the Punta Raisi airport on Wednesday "wearing a Palermo scarf round his neck and spoke to reporters including stadionews." He said, "Zamparini and his family are special people. We are in agreement and are going forward in the process. These are rapidly advancing talks, Zamparini knows where my heart is, so for both me and him it’s important to know the future of Palermo." Former Bologna President Joe Tacopina, who now owns Venezia, "is helping the negotiation process" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 8/17). ESPN.com's Ben Gladwell wrote Gazzetta dello Sport reported the pair "will meet for further talks at Zamparini's home in Friuli-Venezia Giulia next week" after their first meeting was deemed "positive." However, according to Sicilian website Mediagol, Cascio "faces competition for Palermo from a group of Chinese investors," who would keep Zamparini as honorary president if they "succeed with their takeover bid." Zamparini confirmed last month that he is "currently considering two offers" -- one from the U.S. and the other from Asia (ESPN.com, 8/17).
