Website Sina.com earlier quoted Wang's agent as saying that Wang wants to focus on preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the following months.

The Italian side faxed Wang's agent in the hope of negotiating with the Chinese Basketball Association and Bayi club, Wang's current employer, over the deal, the report said.

Benetton, along with two NBA East Conference sides, eyed off Wang after a tournament in Las Vegas earlier this month that featured the China team and several NBA squads.

After an unsuccessful NBA career, Wang returned to Bayi last year and helped the team banish the memory of consecutive fruitless seasons by recapturing the Chinese Basketball Association league trophy