Inzaghi: Available on a free

The 38-year-old Italian is available on a free transfer after ending an 11-year stay at AC Milan and he has been linked with a move to English football.

Reports in Italy had claimed newly-promoted Reading had offered Inzaghi a £20,000-a-week contract, but McDermott has explained how the speculation originated.

"I know exactly where that has come from... I was sat in Tallinn with Nick Hammond and one of our scouts (last week)," McDermott told getreading.

"We were introduced to an Italian agent and we said hello. We started talking about numerous players and he said, 'I can get you Inzaghi.'

"I said, 'Okay, that's good, he's old isn't he?'

"I told him that we wouldn't be going down that road and I was happy with the players that I have and we carried on talking.

"That translated as, 'we've offered him a contract worth about £960,000'."

Watford have also been mooted as admirers of Inzaghi following the Italian takeover at Vicarage Road, and appointment of Gianfranco Zola as manager, but the forward's former club Atalanta are reported to be favourites for his signature.