Parma an option for Del Piero

Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi says Juventus veteran Alessandro Del Piero would be a welcome addition to his club.

Del Piero, 37, will leave Juve when his contract expires at the end of the season, after the Turin-based club announced they would not be offering the long-term servant a new deal.

It remains to be seen if Del Piero will hang up his boots or attempt to seek a new club, with Ghirardi already offering an option for the striker to prolong his career.

“I hope Del Piero can stay in Italian football. He is a great man and a great player,” Ghirardi told Tuttosport.

“If he wants to remain in Italy, he will find an open door at Parma.”

Del Piero, who joined Juve from Padova in 1993, has been linked with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain, as well as MLS clubs Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls.

Ghirardi also commented on the situation of Sebastian Giovinco, who has been linked with a return to Juventus after impressing at Parma.

“There is an open co-ownership deal (with Juventus),” he said.

“At the end of the season we will evaluate his future, based on the desires of the clubs and the player.”

Giovinco will be in action for Parma against Juve when the two sides clash on Wednesday.