Ravanelli decides against Derby move

Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli has pulled out of his expected move to Derby County and will be staying at Lazio, ANSA news…

Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli has pulled out of his expected move to Derby County and will be staying at Lazio, ANSA news agency reported today.

Ravanelli was in Derby last week to meet officials of the Premiership club, with County manager Jim Smith saying afterwards that a two-year deal had been agreed in principle.

But Ravanelli, who returned to Italy to discuss the move with his advisers, has now told Lazio chief executive Massimo Cragnotti that he will stay at the Rome club, ANSA reported.

The 32-year-old, who played for Derby's premier league rivals Middlesbrough in 1996-97, joined Lazio from French club Olympique Marseille in January 2000.