Everton close in on Wigan duo

Everton close in on Wigan duo

Published Jul. 4, 2013 1:15 a.m. ET

Parma have completed the signing of Italy striker Antonio Cassano from Inter Milan on undisclosed terms.

The 30-year-old former Roma, Real Madrid and Sampdoria striker, who will be unveiled in the Ducale city on Thursday, will wear the number 99 shirt at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

A statement published on fcparma.com read: "Parma can announce the signing of Antonio Cassano from Inter with some satisfaction and officially welcome the player into the Gialloblu family."

Parma's Algeria-born striker Ishak Belfodil is expected to move to San Siro as part of the deal, although the Nerazzurri are yet to confirm any exchange deal.

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Cassano, who has signed a reported three-year contract, scored eight goals in all competitions for Inter during the 2012-13 Serie A campaign after switching allegiances from AC Milan in August.

The Bari-born forward has played 35 times for Italy, scoring 10 goals, and underwent minor heart surgery in 2011.

Meanwhile, Parma's hopes of bringing in Inter defender Matias Silvestre as part of the deal appear to have floundered.

Toffees boss Roberto Martinez says he is focusing on making additions to his squad rather than worrying about potential departures, and has targeted two players he worked with at the DW Stadium.

Kone is likely to cost the Toffees around £5m but Alacaraz will arrive on a free transfer once his contract has been finalised.

"They are players that I know really, really well," said Martinez. "I worked with them really closely and they are players that are used to the Premier League and the British game.

"You will always get those sorts of situations but at the moment we are still looking to try to bring the right characters to the football club.

"We need to remember that we have a very strong team at the club, but in the same way we don't want to close the window without feeling stronger than we were when the window opened.

"I'm sure that we will have many other names mentioned and hopefully we are going to get the right characters to represent our football club.

"I think we need to bring in three or four new faces - one per unit (goalkeeper, defence, midfield and striker) and make sure we get an extra option or dimension into the squad.

"It is vital to bring the right characters in and whoever steps into the dressing room comes with the possibility of offering something different and extra."

"It is not a matter of bringing in numbers or bringing in players quickly. The most important aspect is to try to keep the squad together and get every player ready."

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