Ajax says no to Coco

By Brenz
August 4 2005

Francesco Coco does not have to count on a future with Ajax, stated director of football Martin Van Geel this morning. The Inter Milan defender was in Amsterdam the previous days to hold talks with Ajax.

The Amsterdam outfit are looking for a short term replacement for the injured Maxwell. And Francesco Coco fitted that bill perfectly.

Ajax are not very convinced about Coco's physical state. "Coco is one of the players that is offered to us daily", stated Van Geel.

"We have informed ourselves very good about Coco but we think it's too risky. We have put question marks on his physical condition. He has played very little in the last couple of years and has been injured very badly a couple of times during those years. If we sign a player we must be 100% convinced about him."

Coco's contract with Inter Milan expired this summer and the Italian defender has been linked to a host of clubs, including Bolton Wanderers and Everton.

Francesco Coco was a regular in the Italy team at World Cup 2002.