EA7 Milano president Livio Proli has revealed that recently waived Brooklyn Nets forward Andrea Bargnani is a potential target for next season with Olympiacos and Galatasaray also in the running to sign the Italian big man.
The 30-year-old was let go by the Nets in February but has not directly hinted at a return to Europe, Despite that, the Milano president is keeping a close eye on Bargnani’s movements and has publically said that the veteran wants to return to Europe.
And if Bargnani is to head back to Europe, Milano looks the more obvious choice.
“He wants to return to Europe and we offer him a more difficult challenge than other European top clubs,” Proli said to Italian outlet Tuttosport. “We want to reach the ‘first level’ with him. We hope to convince him to join us.”
Galatasaray coach Ergin Ataman has also stated that he would be interested in Bargnani’s services for next season, saying that he has offered him a two-month contract as the Turkish side are still searching for a replacement to Joey Dorsey, who left for Barcelona.
“We offered Bargnani a two months contract,” said Ataman. “Now we’re waiting for his response. We offered him more money than Olympiacos, we had some budget still in after Dorsey’s departure.”
While Bargnani has not responded to Livli’s comments, nor Galatasaray’s, the player made it public back in March of last year that he wants to remain in the NBA, despite an injury-plagued 2014-15 season.
Bargnani was the first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after scooping the Euroleague Rising Star award in the same year. In his ten seasons in the NBA, seven of those with the Toronto Raptors, the Italian international has averaged 14.3 points a game, shooting a consistent 44 percent from the field.
