Giuly Targets PSG Revival

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Paul Le Guen’s side endured a torrid time in the league, finishing just three points above the relegation zone and managing 10 wins from 38 games.

The club’s success in the French League Cup did little to cover the cracks of a struggling squad, and after completing his £2 million move from Roma on Fridy, the former Barcelona and Monaca forward set his sights on reversing PSG’s league fortunes.

"I will try to bring by game, my experience and my huge determination on the pitch," he told L'Equipe.

"I did not feel at ease [in Rome]. My decision to return to France was dictated more by personal reasons than technical ones.”

"When I knew Paris were interested, I didn't hesitate.

"It is important for me to feel the confidence of the coach and the club, which I certainly have here.

"I know last season was difficult at Paris, but we have to forget it and start again right."

Giuly became PSG’s second signing of the summer, with Stephane Sessegnon also arriving in Paris from Le Mans.

Will Wood

Report: Juve To Beat Inter To Aquilani

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Despite being Roma through-and-through, Aquilani’s chances of leaving the Giallorossi are increasing by the day as talks to renew his current contract, which runs out in 2010, have seemingly hit a point of no return.

The promising youngster, who played for Italy at Euro 2008, has been asking for around €2.5m in wages per year, but the highest Roma have been willing to offer is €1.6m.

Aquilani has attracted the interest of a host of top European clubs, all of whom have promised to meet, and even surpass, his wage demands.

Tuttosport claims that Juventus and Inter are now set for a straight fight for the 24-year-old. The Bianconeri had announced that they would be signing no more outfield players following the capture of Christian Poulsen, but they are prepared to reverse this decision for Aquilani.

Inter, meanwhile, are well known to be in the market for a top class centre midfielder, and are exploring other alternatives given their difficulties in snapping up primary target Frank Lampard.

Juve are being tipped to beat Inter in the race for Aquilani, mainly thanks to the great friendship that the midfielder has with defender Giorgio Chiellini. Aquilani also gets on well with Gianluigi Buffon and Alex Del Piero, who encouraged him to join Juve during the recent Euros.

Gianni Wilson

Totti To Poulsen: You Can Shove Your Handshake!

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Poulsen

Poulsen completed his €9.75m move to Juventus from Sevilla on Tuesday, signing a four year contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 28-year-old is something of an infamous figure in Italy, all dating back to his clash with Francesco Totti in the group game between Italy and Denmark at Euro 2004. Following the match, which ended in a 0-0 draw, television pictures showed Poulsen being spat on by Totti, an act that was missed by the referee.

At a swiftly arranged disciplinary hearing, Totti was then handed a three-match ban, thus potentially ruling him out until the semi final. The No.10 then issued a "full public apology", while also claiming that he was severely provoked by Poulsen.

Since signing for Juventus, Poulsen has promised to forget what has happened and shake Totti’s hand when Juventus play Roma this season. The Giallorossi symbol though has made it perfectly clear how he feels about the situation.

"It's easy to talk now," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He could have come and told the truth at the hearing the day after. I don't think he adds anything [to Juve] at a technical level."

Azzurri Return

Totti also spoke about a possible return to the Italy national team, once again claiming that he may come back in time for the 2010 World Cup.

“With Lippi I have a great relationship,” Er Pupone explained.

“I hear from him often. I also complimented him when he returned as I was happy for him. We have talked about the future and Lippi asked me how my rehabilitation [from injury] is going.

"If I'm well and I don't have problems, it will be possible to address this issue in six months or a year."

Totti played his last game for the Azzurri in the 2006 World Cup final win over France two years ago. Following a season of uncertainty, he finally announced his retirement from international football last year, but could he now be set for a return?

Alessio Alexis

Roma Eye Beleaguered Reyes

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According to Marca, the Atlético Madrid coach, Javier Aguirre, has already told the player he is surplus to requirements and his services won't be required next season.

A proof of that appears to be Reyes' minimal role in Atlético's pre-season tour of Mexico, having found playing time very hard to come by in the two friendly fixtures played so far.

And while the former Arsenal man isn't interested in leaving Vicente Calderón, according to the paper, he is seriously considering his options to find regular first-team action.

Roma have been long-term admirers of Reyes' quality, having allegedly put together an offer for the player during the winter transfer market but which he turned down at that time.

Now, with Reyes having been told he will continue having few chances to shine at the club, he may feel tempted to sign for the Serie A giants.

Should Reyes make the move, it will be his fourth club in as many seasons, and his fifth in six.

Luís Mira

Official: Lecce Sign Antunes

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The 21-year-old only signed for the Giallorossi last year from Portuguese club Pacos de Fereira, when the capital-outfit beat off a number of top European clubs, including Juventus, to secure his signature.

Despite being highly rated, Antunes received few opportunities last term, making just five Serie A appearances, none of them starts.

The defender has been heavily linked with a move away from the Eternal City in recent weeks, with Bologna, Chievo and Celtic all linked.

However it is Lecce who have won the race to sign the full back.

“It’s official that we have completed a deal to bring Antunes to Lecce,” a statement from Lecce reads. “The player arrives on loan with his ownership to be discussed at the end of the season. He will be presented at training tomorrow.”

Antunes has won one cap for the Portugal national team, and there are still high hopes for the youngster for the future. He is teh second player to leave Roma today, following Ludovic Giuly (Paris Saint Germain) out of the door.

Anthony Sormani

Aquilani Contract Problems Let In Inter?

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Aquilani has been heavily linked with a move away from the Eternal City, as talks to renew his current contract, which runs out in 2010, have seemingly hit a brick wall.

The Italy international, who played at Euro 2008, has been asking for around €2.5m in wages per year, but the highest Roma have been willing to offer is €1.6m.

This has led to interest from a host of top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus and Inter, the latter two of whom have promised the player a salary of €3m.

Tuttosport says that Aquilani’s contract problems are no closer to being solved, and as a result the chance of the player leaving the club is definitely possible.

Juventus are now out of the race having signed Christian Poulsen earlier this week, but Inter are very much on the lookout for a top class centre midfielder.

The Nerazzurri’s primary target is Cheslea’s Frank Lampard, but secondary options are Napoli’s Marek Hamsik and Aquilani. Hamsik will be almost impossible to prise away from the Partenopei this summer, but Aquilani, despite his allegiance to his hometown club Roma, may agree to a move.

Alessio Alexis

PSG To Unveil Giuly This Lunchtime: Report

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Good things come to those who wait - or so it is said. PSG will certainly hope that this is the case as they are expected to complete the signing of cunning Roma midfielder Ludovic Giuly later today after several weeks of negotiations.

At 13.30 CET the Parisians will unveil their new acquisition according to l'Equipe. Bizarrely, there is no certainty that the player is actually the Roma star.

PSG have chosen to surround the announcement in mystery, issuing a press release earlier today that simply stated, “Charles Villeneuve, chairman and managing director of Paris Saint-Germain, Paul Le Guen, trainer of the squad and Alain Roche, chief recruitment officer, will hold a press conference this Friday July 18 at 13.30 in the Parc des Princes.

“On this occasion, they will introduce to the journalists present a player who will integrate into the professional squad of Paris Saint-Germain for the season 2008-09.”

Logically, this player would appear to be 32 year-old Giuly, who has been reported to have agreed a two year contract with the capital club and has successfully negotiated a medical.

Such a signing would be another valuable acquisition for PSG, who have struggled in the transfer market this summer. President Charles Villeneuve has urged patience from the support and, if more players of Giuly’s quality can be brought to the club, their tolerance will be rewarded.

At present PSG are still some way short of a complete side. They are lacking in attack and defensively. Despite this their next target remains anchoring midfielder Claude Makélélé.

Roma Close In On Baptista

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The Giallorossi are well known to be in the market for a top class forward, and have been linked heavily with a host of frontmen in recent months, including Adrian Mutu, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Roman Pavluchenko, and Baptista.

Roma’s primary choice is Mutu, but the chances of completing this transfer are almost impossible, especially as the Romanian has declared his intentions to end his career at Fiorentina.

In recent days speculation has been growing and growing that Baptista was edging closer to the Giallorossi. The 26-year-old is certain to leave Real Madrid this summer as he is not on coach Bernd Schuster’s first team plans.

Earlier this week, Roma were tipped by the Spanish press to make a €15m bid for ‘The Beast’, and a whole host of influential figures, including the player’s agent, and former Roma stars Aldair and Toninho Cerezo, have sponsored the move.

The latest reports in Italy suggest that the transfer is almost certain to take place, providing an agreement can be found on both the transfer fee and personal terms, as both parties want each other.

Baptista’s agent, Herminio Menendez, is currently away in China on business but as soon as he returns the transfer could be completed very swiftly.

Alessio Alexis

Borriello Staying In Milan - Agent

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Rumours were rife that Borriello would leave the Rossoneri once the club signed one of the many world class strikers they were linked with in the media.

However, the arrival of Ronaldinho has ended the possibility of the former Genoa attacker leaving Milan, since they both play in different roles, as confirmed by Cavalleri.

"Yes, Borriello will surely remain," declared the player's agent to calciomercato.it.

"I'm very happy with the purchase of Ronaldinho, because now from his feet and that of Kaka, Borriello will surely receive more balls."

Cavalleri also confirmed that there is no chance now that Roma will sign Borriello.

"No Giallorossi's possibility, also because Galliani said that the Milan transfer market is closed," he concluded.

Last season Borriello finished third in the top-scorer list, with 19 goals in35 games played for the Grifoni.

Glenn Debattista

Antunes To Lecce Today?

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Angelozzi is quite positive that the deal which would see Antunes join Lecce on loan will go through by the end of the day as he confirmed this on Thursday evening.

"On Friday there should be the conclusion of the negotiation, but right now I cannot add anything else," declared the director of sports to Laromasiamonoi.it.

"I confirm that it will be a loan deal."

Roma want to send Antunes to another Serie A team in order to gain experience. After these twelve months are over, the player would return back to Rome and fight for a position in the left side of defence along with Tonetto and Riise.

Chievo Verona and Racing Santander were also after the Portuguese player, but Lecce now seem destined to welcome him within their ranks.

Glenn Debattista