Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi has confirmed they're allowing Le Mans striker Tulio de Melo to join Palermo.

Both Parma and Palermo stated that former Le Mans star De Melo had signed for them and the Gialloblu registered the deal with the Lega Calcio earlier this month.

However, Ghirardi stated: "The striker will play with Palermo this season, but his contract is in a co-ownership agreement with us.

"Now we hand the case over to our lawyers, who are working in an attempt to avoid a sanction."

He added: "If he had gone to the Rosanero on a permanent move, then we could have discussed that, but in this way things change."