Juventus Plan €25m Bid For Aquilani

fount : goal.com



The Bianconeri have been after a top-class middle man all summer but they have so far been unable to clinch a deal for their target.

Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso was on Claudio Ranieri’s wish list but his name was soon chalked off after he declared he was happy with life at Anfield.

Aquilani has been the alternative but Juve had previous bids for the Italian international turned down. The Old Lady is now ready to reach a little deeper into her pockets and find €25m which should be enough to convince the Giallorossi to part company with their player.

According to Sportmediaset, Aquilani is earning €900,000 per season at the Olimpico and his contract expires in 2010.

The midiflder is asking for €2.5m a year but Roma are refusing to bow down to the player’s demands leading to speculation he will leave.

Reports around the peninsula claim the Bianconeri are willing to offer Aquilani a mega €3.2m per season package in order to lure him to Turin but first they will need to convince Roma to sell.

Salvatore Landolina

Mutu Will Stay Here - Pazzini

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The Romanian international has been asking for a better deal from the Viola but the club have remained firm over the whole affair leading to new questions being raised over the striker’s future in Florence.

Roma were keen on the player and it seemed as if they were on the verge of signing him only for La Viola to change their minds and make a dramatic U-turn at the final hurdle.

Pazzini believes Mutu will stay in Tuscany and the Italian international insists he is happy with life at the Artemio Franchi.

“I think the Mutu affair is closed and he is happy to remain here,” Pazzini told Tuttomercatoweb.

The striker also had a few words over his own future but he insists he is not leaving despite reports linking him with a move to Sampdoria.

“My future? I am proud of being linked with major clubs but I am fine here in Florence and I have no intention of leaving,” concluded the hit-man.

Salvatore Landolina

Brighi Extends Contract Until 2012

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Brighi has been in negotiations with the Giallorossi over the last few weeks, and he has now put pen to paper on a fresh four year contract.

The 27-year-old joined the Giallorossi from Juventus in 2004 as part of the deal that saw Brazilian anchor man Emerson go the other way.

However, he has featured only sparingly during his time at the Stadio Olimpico, and indeed spent 2004 to 2007 at loan at Chievo.

Finally recalled to the Stadio Olimpico last year, Brighi started just six Serie A games all season, and had been tipped to leave the club this summer, with the likes of Celtic and Blackburn Rovers said to be interested.

However, Brighi has now seemingly pledged his future to Roma by signing a new deal until 2012.

Alessio Alexis

Roma Panic Over De Rossi Injury Scare

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The talismanic midfielder went down after stumbling with the ball and he seems to have injured his right ankle.

Roma’s medical staff were quick to attend to the Italian international but they indicated that he was no longer able to continue, leaving Luciano Spalletti with plenty to think about.

De Rossi limped off but it is not yet known what the problem is and he is set to undergo further tests on Thursday afternoon to verify the extent of the damage he sustained.

It’s bad news for Roma fans as it’s not what they would have wanted as the squad continues with their pre-season preparations.

Meanwhile, Francesco Totti was also absent as he continues to train with Roma physio Vito Scala as he looks to recover quickly from the injury he sustained against Livorno earlier this year.

Salvatore Landolina

Pasqualin Still Confident Over Mutu - Roma Switch

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The Romanian international has been linked to the Giallorossi ever since La Viola signed Alberto Gilardino from Milan.

The transfer saga has taken several twists and turns and it has been a case of hit and miss for both clubs but it seems as if Roma still have a chance of scoring their Mutu goal according to Pasqualin.

“The situation can still change but it’s likely that the Della Valle will hold firm,” Pasqualin told Tuttomercatoweb.

“I thought things were different and I may have made a mistake but nothing is yet concrete.

“We have to wait and see what happens now.

“I didn’t expect the Viola to make such a U-turn as Corvino was certain the player could leave.”

It seemed as if Mutu was on the verge of signing for Roma when Pantaleo Corvino revealed he was ready to listen to Roma’s offer only for the Artemio Franchi based club to go back on their words and eat some humble pie.

Salvatore Landolina

Roma Still Hopeful Of Signing Mutu

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The Viola revealed on Tuesday that they had received, and were considering, an offer from Roma for Mutu, believed to be in the region of €20m.

This announcement appeared to suggest that it was a virtual formality that the Romanian would become a Roma player.

However, in a stunning turnaround of events the Viola last night released a statement in which they stated that Mutu was going nowhere.

“ACF Fiorentina President Andrea Della Valle, with reference to Roma’s offer, lets it be known that Mutu is and remains a Fiorentina player.”

Despite this rejection, the Corriere dello Sport claims that Roma have not given up hope of signing Mutu, and indeed have no alternative target lined up to replace Amantino Mancini, who was recently sold to Inter.

The key to snapping up Mutu could be Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli, who is reported to have vetoed the transfer personally. If Prandelli can be persuaded to yield his star man then a deal is possible.

Roma director Bruno Conti last night signalled Roma’s determination, stating: “We have had intense negotiations for Mutu and will continue to do so until the transfer window closes.”

Alessio Alexis

Former Milan Star: Fiorentina To Win Scudetto

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The stopper won the 1994 Champions League with the Rossoneri and, with the Serie A fixture list on the verge of being announced, he has given his views on the usual suspects gunning for Scudetto glory.

Surprisingly, the former Milan player doesn’t seem confident of his old side’s chances this season.

“I like Fiorentina who are right up there with Inter,” Nava told Goal.Com.

“Behind those clubs, there are both Juventus and Milan and then there is Roma. However, the Giallorossi don’t seem like they will be the side of last season having sold Mancini and with Francesco Totti still not back from injury.”

Ex-Juventus star Domenico Marocchino also shared his views but he was reluctant to make a prediction on who will lift the Tricolore come May 2009.

“I think there will be an equal balance between the teams but I am not ready to make a prediction just yet,” the former Juve man explained to Goal.com.

“However, saying that, I think an eye should be kept on Milan as they will not be playing in the Champions League.”

With all the teams bar Roma moving and shaking in the transfer market, it seems as if Serie A 2008/09 is set for one of the most thrilling campaigns, with the likes of Jose Mourinho entertaining the press and Ronaldinho thrilling crowds with his magic on the pitch.

Salvatore Landolina

Totti Is A God – Riise

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Norwegian full back Riise completed his transfer from Liverpool to Roma last month following seven successful years at Anfield.

The 28-year-old has already moved to win his place in the hearts of the Giallorossi supporters by hailing club captain and symbolic legend Totti.

"Unfortunately we have not trained together because he is returning from an injury, but he is extraordinary and a player here in Rome who is considered almost a living God,” explained Riise.

"When I arrived, even if does not speak English, he gave me a welcome and shook my hand. He's a very nice lad, always cheerful. I repeat, he is an extraordinary player."

Riise also explained his reasons for leaving Liverpool for this new adventure in the Italian capital.

"Roma are a great team, capable of winning the League, Cup and Champions League,” he stated.

“If I am here, it is because I know that this is a winning team, and I hope to make my contribution."

Riise has won 71 caps for the Norway national team, and played at Euro 2000.

Alessio Alexis

Aquilani Will Stay – De Rossi

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Aquilani’s future at Roma has been up in the air for several weeks now as the problems continue with regards to the renewal of his contract.

The midfielder’s current deal expires in 2010 and he has been demanding €2.5m in wages per year in order to sign an extension. However, it is reported that the highest Roma have been able to offer him is €1.6m.

This has led to intense speculation that Aquilani will quit the club, and both Juventus and Inter are known to be very keen, with the player even thanking both clubs for their interest recently.

Despite all this speculation, Daniele De Rossi believes that Aquilani’s heart lies in Rome, and he is confident that he will agree to stay in the Eternal City.

"If he is to sign, it will be his decision,” explained De Rossi.

“What I can say, in my opinion, is that his will is to remain.

"Then, later, he will have time to experience different things."

Aquilani, like De Rossi, was born in Rome, and came up through the Giallorossi youth ranks.

Alessio Alexis