The players threatened to strike if a new collective agreement is not signed before the start of the season on Saturday.

The Italian Players' Association (AIC) said the Serie A league has still not signed an agreement reached with the players last year after intense negotiations, during which strikes were twice narrowly averted.

"We are ready to write the definitive text this afternoon and I think we are very close to signing the agreement," said Serie A league president Maurizio Beretta.

"But it will require constructive will and a little effort from both sides."

An old collective agreement expired at the end of the 2009-10 season and talks for its renewal continued throughout last campaign.

The AIC was especially unhappy about clubs trying to force players to move in the last year of their contracts.