Bologna confident of landing Bryant

Bologna president Claudio Sabatini expressed confidence on Monday in the Italian basketball team signing NBA star Kobe Bryant. "We're very confident, but we're expecting news this evening," said Sabatini. Bologna have made a $3-million dollar offer to Bryant, reportedly for a 35-day contract, during the NBA lock-out. The 33-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star would be available as long as the NBA lock-out continues. "I think that we can shortly reach agreement, we're continuing to work. I want to thank Kobe who even last night expressed his wish to come to Italy," added Sabatini. Bryant spent eight formative years in Italy while his father played here following the end of his own NBA career with the Houston Rockets. Bryant speaks fluent Italian and says he wants to buy a house in the country.