by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Livorno executive Roberto Spinelli has stated to Soccer365 that the promoted Serie A side are busy working on deals to bring U.S. internationals Ricardo Clark and Landon Donovan on-board for the 2009/10 season.

Following recent statements of interest in the Italian press from chairman Aldo Spinelli, the club CEO revealed that the Amaranto were trying to arrange financial help to seal a winter switch for the 27-year old Los Angeles Galaxy star.

"We spoke with (Donovan agent Richard Motzkin), but the transfer fee is too high," Spinelli told Soccer365 on Wednesday afternoon. "The only solution could be that some sponsors could invest  to bring the player to the Italian Serie A TIM."

"We will work with our people in the U.S. to try to figure out all the picture before November, in order to have the player in January."

"We are positive that Mr. Donovan will be of great support in the Serie A because he has great potential, and now, a solid maturity to be a big player in our championship."

The Dark Reds are also in deepening discussions over the 26-year old Clark, who unlike three-time Bundesliga man Donovan, has played his entire career to date in Major League Soccer. 

Divulged Spinelli: "We spoke with Mr. Clark's manager, Mr. Motzkin, in order to find an agreement to bring the player to Leghorn (the English translation of Livorno), Italy."

Both Clark and Donovan raised their stock during a runners up USMNT experience at last month's Confederations Cup in South Africa, which opened for the Americans with a 3-1 loss to Italy.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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