Bari sports chief Stefano Antonelli admits they've made an attempt for Antonio Cassano.

The former Bari star is a free agent after terminating his contract with Parma last month.

Antonelli explained to TMW: "There was a time when you could accomplish this suggestion for the city, for the player and for the sport in general.

"The return of Cassano to Bari would be something brilliant.

"Antonio, obviously, with sensitivity and availability, we thought about, and then he decided to decline the invitation. He will have made his choice for many reasons.

"But Cassano was an important suggestion, in Serie B he would shift the balance."