Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini has revealed his disappointment at failing to sign Brazilian striker Nilmar on transfer deadline day.

The Sicilian outfit tabled an improved bid of 15million euros for the Internacional star but the Porto Alegre-based outfit turned down the approach.

Internacional's snub leaves Palermo without a ready-made replacement for Amauri, who moved to Juventus earlier in the summer having finished as Serie A's top scorer last season.

"I can understand our fans' feelings, I am also disappointed," said Sabatini.

"We had focused on Nilmar's signing and our club president had given us a high figure with which to negotiate, first 12million euros then 15.

"We have not been able to conclude the deal because Internacional Porto Alegre would have lost an important player."

Nilmar, 24, scored 11 goals in the Campeonato Brasileiro last term and is contracted to Internacional until 2011.