Former Leeds United sporting director Nicola Salerno is to return to Italian football with Palermo.
Salerno worked alongside Massimo Cellino at Elland Road and was credited with helping to close a number of signings for the club; he brought in Sol Bamba on a permanent deal from Palermo, but missed out on striker Leonardo Pavoletti, who has since moved to Napoli in an €18m transfer.
Now Salerno is heading back to his homeland to put his deal-making skills to use.
According to Sky Italia, Salerno is expected to sign a contract to become Palermo's sporting director in the coming days after reaching an agreement with the club's president Maurizio Zamparini.
He is walking into a difficult position with Palermo third from bottom in the Serie A standings.
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Palermo have taken just ten points from their opening 19 league games and are seven points off safety.
Salerno will have to use all his football knowledge to help strengthen Palermo's squad in this month's transfer window to give the side every chance of avoiding the drop into Serie B.
