Juventus were linked to the likes of Van Der Vaart & Diego just as the rest of the big teams, so it isn't just these kind of players (who are good defenders by the way).

On to a new subject:

Juve To Hand Amauri To Milan For Gilardino

Reports are strengthening in Italy that Juventus are set to scrap their deal to buy Amauri, handing the reigns to Milan in return for signing Alberto Gilardino instead.

Amauri had appeared almost certain to sign for the Bianconeri, and Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini earlier this week stated that a deal was “98 per cent completed”, with the finishing touches being applied next week.

However yesterday evening Amauri delivered a sensational announcement, saying that he may not join Juve any longer.

“It’s not certain I am leaving this season. At the end of the campaign I will talk to Zamparini and he’ll set out his plans,” said the Brazilian.

The Gazzetta dello Sport now says that the major snag in Amauri’s move has come about due to wages.

The 27-year-old is demanding €3.75m a season, but Alessio Secco and the Juventus management are refusing to pay him more than €3m, and have made it clear they will not be changing their mind.

As a result it is now looking possible that Milan, who are more than happy to cough up the extra €750k, will be allowed by Juve to step in and sign Amauri instead.

In return Milan will sell the Old Lady forward flop Gilardino, who was certain to leave the club at the end of the season anyway.

Gila has had a miserable three seasons at San Siro since joining from Parma in 2005, however a question mark remains over how much the Rossoneri will demand for a player they paid €24m for.

Juve Offer Iaquinta for Mancini

According to the Corriere dello Sport, Juventus look likely to beat Inter Milan to the signing of Amantino Mancini, by offering Vincenzo Iaquinta to Roma in exchange.

Mancini has been a key player for Roma over the past few years, however his contract expires in 2009, and he is almost certain to leave the club this summer having rejected a new deal.

Both Juventus and Inter have been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian, with the former wanting him as a replacement for the probably retiring Pavel Nedved, and the latter viewing him also as a replacement, this time for the departing Luis Figo.

The Corriere says that the Bianconeri are set to win the race by offering striker Iaquinta in return.

The 28-year-old only signed from Udinese last summer, and despite a good season, he has become increasingly irritated at largely being a substitute for the prolific David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is in favour of the exchange as he is a huge admirer of Iaquinta, having successfully coached him at Udinese in the past.

Inter are likely to turn their attentions exclusively to Arsenal Aliaksandr Hleb as they look to solve their problem on the left hand side of midfield.

Nedved on way out after failed talks?


There is fresh speculation that Pavel Nedved could be on his way out of Juventus after contract talks today failed miserably.

Nedved’s deal at Turin runs out at the end of the season, and the 35-year-old and his agent Mino Raiola arranged a meeting today with Juve director Jean-Claude Blanc to discuss the possibility of a one-year extension.

The talks did not go well at all, and no agreement was reached between the two sides.

As Nedved left the Bianconeri’s offices on Corso Galileo Ferraris he was asked by journalists how the two sessions of discussions had gone.

The former Czech Republic international grinned before replying sarcastically: “How did they go? Superbly.”

It is now looking increasingly possible that Nedved, who joined Juventus from Lazio back in 2001, could retire at the end of the season, or possibly take up a foreign challenge abroad. Japanese outfit Jubilo Iwata have made their interest known recently.

Earlier this week Nedved admitted that he was strongly considering his future.

“I don’t really know whether I will continue, I still have a couple of weeks to think and decide,” he explained.

“To play at Juventus has been an honour and I am proud, I have had some fun in the Bianconeri jersey over the years.

“I will make a decision on my future very soon.”

Noooo don't go Nedved .[/b]

One of my favourite players of all time there, Nedved should come to England, im sure he wouldnt be short of offers.

I don't think he'd go to England, if he wanted to compete in the biggest leagues he wouldn't move abroad. I think at his age if he moves it will be to Japan or a league of such a caliber - he is far older than Gattuso (who's moving to Bayern according to a report)

I never said it was likely, just that i would like to see it.

And are you saying SerieA is the biggest league in Europe?

I think he meant it's one of the bigger leagues in the world, like Spain, England, Italy, Germany and the such, compared to - his example - Japan.

Yeah, but i donty see why a player would choose a poor league in place of one of the top leagues, unless its all to do with money however.

Well it does happen, like with Beckham amongst others. As you say for money.

He's basically saying if Nedved wants to stay at the top level he should stay put rather than trying to start again in a new league at his age i think.

Yeah i get that. But if i was a player i would want to play in as many of the top leagues as i could, seems logical to want to pit yourself against the best no matter where you are in your career, to me anyway.

Football has to be very tough for him at the age of 36 and if being in one of the best biggest 4 leagues too draining too much of him, then he could move to a smaller league where he could enjoy himself without any pressure. The fixture schedule is also a lot smaller than in the bigger leagues, that's all what I'm saying.

In my opinion the Italian league is better than the EPL, but the CL only has 4 big teams of England and not the rest of the league teams, meanwhile there is tough competition for the CL spots in Serie A (Inter, Juve, Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, and UEFA cup spots - Palermo, Lazio, Sampdoria, Napoli, Genoa etc.).

Here in the Barclays only a few teams are suited for those spots (Chelsea, Liverpool, United, Arsenal and the UEFA cup spot is occupied randomly).

Well, Everton and Spurs over the last 4 seasons have given the other four a good go for that fourth Champions League spot. Everton pipped Liverpool to it in 2004/05 whilst Spurs were ahead on the final day in the following season but had their side torn apart by food poisening prior, hence they lost.

And anyway, it could just mean that our best sides are just that much stronger than they are in Italy, rather than the lower teams being necessarily a lot worse.

I don't think so, because the odds for Everton defeating Fiorentina are not that great (they both lie 5th in the league standings) and as a matter of fact Fiorentina pipped them in the cup to go to the semi finals. Also Udinese currently 6th, are sure to beat a team like Aston Villa (also 6th).

Now a strong league shouldn't have too much difference between the teams, and considering the big barrier between the top 4 and the rest of the league teams, the top 4 should always be winning the CL - but they're not. Chelsea & United are finally in the final after so many years. This is Chelsea's first time and United's first time in a decade or so.

Derby County is the worst team in the EPL by far and have just won once, meanwhile Livorno is the worst team in Serie A, having won 6 times and drawn close to double that of Derby. Livorno would beat Derby County, Sunderland, Birmingham City, Fulham at any given time.

Topic please.

As for Nedved, if i was him i'd want to move to Japan. It would be a less punishing schedule for him, he'd be able to perform to a higher level because of inferior opposition, and he'd be able to prolong his career. He doesn't need to stay in Italy, he's already spend his entire career competing against the best. It's not necessary any more, and he will end up looking like a shadow of his former self - like Vieri who embarrassed himself in the UEFA cup the other day.

I'd also want to experience something new, and Japan is an amazing place for that. It would be about the experience, the difference, the culture - not the primarily the football.

True but he can continue to play in Serie A without a problem considering he is still one of the best wingers, although I think he's too old now.

Anyway there were rumors that Xabi Alonso (Liverpool) was going to join Juve but Benitez seems to have rubbished these:

Benitez: Barry And Alonso Can Play Together

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has poured cold water on reports that Xabi Alonso will have to make way if the club succeed in luring Gareth Barry to Anfield.


Liverpool have recently made a power-play by testing Aston Villa's resolve with a player-plus-cash offer worth £10million for their captain, who has become a key part of England's midfield over the past months.

The Reds’ sudden interest in central players has sparked speculation that Xabi Alonso – also linked with Juve – could leave in the summer, but Benitez's latest comments lend credence to the notion that they are simply seeking reinforcements for the two holding spots in his 4-2-3-1 formation.

"(Alonso) is our player, he has a contract," Rafa insisted.

"Barry can play in three different positions, so I don't think we need to worry about this."

Juventus will sure to be keeping close tabs on the Gareth Barry situation, as despite Benitez's insistence, the outcome of this should still have an affect on their chances of prising Alonso away.

I said Alonso wouldn't be leaving.

Benitez sees centre-midfield as vital and hence he isn't going to have 4 players for 3 positions, one of which being a youngster in Lucas.

Yeah, Benitez is holding tight onto his players let's see if he spends next season on Liverpool's bench.

Looks like Juve are looking to buy Sagnol

Juve Set To Steal Sagnol

Juventus are set to steal Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol from the grasp of Milan, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

French full-back Sagnol has had a miserable season with Bayern, where he has lost his first team place and fallen out with coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

The 31-year-old’s future with the Bavarian giants is very uncertain, especially as he was recently suspended by the club for publicly blasting Hitzfeld in the press.

Earlier this week the Italian media revealed that Milan had opened talks with Bayern over a transfer, and indeed it was the Corriere who claimed that a fee of €5m had been agreed upon.

Sagnol later came out and confirmed Milan’s interest, but said he still had not decided about where his future lay.

The Corriere is today claiming that Juventus have hijacked the Rossoneri’s attempts to sign the former Monaco man and that the Old Lady’s general manager Jean-Claude Blanc met with Sagnol’s agents yesterday.

Sagnol, who has been at Bayern since 2000 and has won 54 caps for France, was close to signing for Juve in 2006 on a Bosman transfer, before he eventually renewed his contract.

I guess he's as good as Grygera and definitely better than having Zebina running as a side back. We've done a lot this season with this lowly defense so with Mellberg, Sagnol and Andrade coming back we're back on track to winning the Scudetto.

I think you're going a bit too far there. That would be a good defence, but what if Andrade gets injured again?

Inter's defence is far superior. Twice as much depth.

Your midfield isn't good enough either.

Yeah you seem to really rate Juve as much better than they really are, getting Mellberg and Sagnol isnt going to mean you will win the league. And i agree with sticky, your midfield isnt that strong, theres good players like Tiago, Salihamidzic and Camoranesi but you dont really have a top class player in any of the key midfield roles. I still think Juve will be much the same next season as this, there wont be any drastic improvments imo.

Juve could maybe improve enough to challenge Inter if they raid Valencia. The likes of Silva, Vicente, Baraja, Joaquin etc. aren't out of reach.

But i reckon if they sign any of them it will only be one of them, maybe vicente or baraja. Silva and joaquin will either stay in spain or join an english club if you ask me.

They should sign the young guy Hamsik from Napoli, and maybe Lavezzi too. And if they can rodrigo palacios from Boca wouldnt be a wasted buy.

But even with players like this i still think they will struggle to get ahead of Inter and AC Milan, at least for next season.