Italian and Arab media had linked the veteran midfielder with a big money switch to Saudi side Al-Shabab who were said to be keen to snap up the star on a lucrative contract.

Bresciano had impressed the Arab side with his performances for Australia while qualifying for the World Cup  and was reportedly interested in a move away from Palermo after a tumultuous three years with the Sicilian club.

A series of management changes cost Bresciano his regular starting slot with the side but a planned move to Manchester City two years ago fell through at the last moment in a row over financing the transfer fee.

Today though Bresciano insisted he was now happy at Palermo and had no plans to quit the club - and was even planning on negotiating a new contract when his current one runs out next year.

"I'm thinking why should I leave when I'm good, I enjoy playing?" he said. "I have no reason to go. I hope to continue with this adventure.

"I still have one year of the contract and then I will have another season here and we hope extend it as well. We both need to find agreement, the club and I. At the moment it is not important."

And he praised the attitude under new boss Zenga, saying: "The mentality Zenga is trying to bring is to believe, to try to play to win all matches.

"I must say that Zenga has made a good impression, you can see that he is a winner with the mentality to win, even in training.

"So far we have worked very well, training is hard, but we also have fun, so it's a positive situation."

But Bresciano is braced to have to fight for a starting slot again, and he's aware the depth of the squad will make it hard to slip into the starting XI.

"Judging from training, we could do two competitive teams in the Serie A, because in each role there are two or even the players," he said.

"There will be lots of competition. Maybe it's even better for us so the coach can take us all with the hunger and the right grit every week, for all the matches, knowing that anyone who falls in can still do well for Palermo.

"There are many players who will remain on the bench or even in the stands. It will often not be easy for the coach to choose but we hope that the group remains united."

He added: "We know that there are other teams much more important and stronger than us, but at the same time we believe we can beat them.

"We must try to win them all. In my opinion, you should have important goals to do something equally important in the season.

"We are aiming as high as possible, ie first place in the championship: we will see ahead if we can achieve that at Palermo. "