Fiorentina Confident Over Mutu Stay

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Mutu’s future at the Artemio Franchi has looked uncertain ever since reports claimed he demanded a massive increase in his salary.

The Viola were not too keen on meeting the striker’s demands and this lead to speculation he was on his way out.

Roma were on the verge of signing the player before Fiorentina stopped any deal from taking place by insisting the player was not for sale.

A meeting between both the club’s directors and the player is set to take place to bring an end to the unanswered questions surrounding Mutu’s future in Florence.

Mencucci believes that a deal will be reached and that the Romanian will be wearing the Fiorentina jersey next term.

“Mutu will not be leaving us and this was also revealed by president Della Valle,” said Mencucci.

Sportmediaset claims that Mutu wants to extend until 2013 but the club are only willing to extend his current deal, which expires in 2011, by one year.

Reports in Italy suggest that a deal between all parties will be reached by early next week if Mutu agrees to whatever Fiorentina lay on the plate.

Salvatore Landolina

Roma Return For Baptista

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Baptista is certain to leave Real Madrid this summer as he is not in German coach Bernd Schuster’s first team plans.

Up until a few days ago, there had been almost constant reports about a proposed transfer of the 26-year-old to Roma, with the Italian and Spanish press claiming that a deal would almost certainly go through.

Earlier this week, Baptista’s agent claimed that there had been no contact from the Giallorossi, and the chances of a transfer appeared to be slim when the Italians tabled an official bid for Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu.

However, the Viola rejected this offer and stated that the Romanian was not for sale. Roma have not completely given up hope of signing Mutu, but the Gazzetta claims that they are now tentatively moving back towards Baptista.

Luciano Spalletti is desperate to sign a top class forward before the end of the transfer window, and he has also shortlisted Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi, and Russian Euro 2008 star Andrei Arshavin as possible alternatives.

Alessio Alexis

Mexes In Carjack Terror

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Mexes, his wife Carla and their two children had dined out in Rome yesterday evening, before returning home shortly before midnight. After his wife and four-year-old son Enzo had got out of the car, Mexes was confronted by a pair of criminals.

A struggle ensued, and the thieves made off with the French international’s Mercedes. However, the car-jackers were unaware that two-year-old Eva was still in the back seat.

The police were called and a search began around the area close to the Mexes family home in Axa-Casal Palocco.

The vehicle was later found abandoned in Piazza Eschilo in Rome, with young Eva mercifully unharmed. The family were later reunited.

Peter Staunton

Pizarro Hopeful About New Season

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Pizarro gave his opinion about the new arrival John Arne Riise who joined the Giallorossi from Liverpool during this transfer window.

"Riise is an important player," commented the former Inter midfielder to Roma Channel. "He has a lot of experience and will help us in all competitions.

"I also think that the club will move well and someone else will arrive. Mutu? Who doesn't want him?"

Pizarro is convinced that if Roma play at their best, then they can achieve optimum results next season.

"If we play like we know, we can stay in contention for all competitions," he explained.

"We must start off from last year. Inter will be the team to beat, but watch out for Milan, who will not play in the Champions League."

Glenn Debattista

Atalanta Await Roma Reply On Cerci

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Cerci could soon be packing his bags again after just returning from his loan experience at Pisa, as the Bergamaschi are trying to sign him up on another temporary deal.

"We are waiting for a call from Roma to know if our offer has been accepted and eventually close the deal," explained the director of sports to Laromasiamonoi.it.

"We have requested the loan of the player and not the co-ownership deal as it has been reported by some newspapers."

However, many believe that Cerci would be allowed to leave only if Roma sign Adriano Mutu from Roma.

"I cannot say if Cerci will be allowed to leave only if Mutu is purchased, because such an issue was not discussed with Atalanta," concluded Osti.

Glenn Debattista

Juventus Plan €25m Bid For Aquilani

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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