Juventus target Manchester United duo

Serie A leaders Juventus have been linked with a move for Manchester United duo Nani and Patrice Evra.

Italian newspaper TuttoSport have claimed that the United pair are both on the Juventus radar for the summer, with the ‘Old Lady’ looking to take advantage of the potential squad overhaul at Old Trafford.

Evra, who has long been linked with an exit in the summer, looks set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

According to the TuttoSport report, the 32-year-old Frenchman will not renew his contract in Manchester for family reasons, and has already rejected the club’s opening offer.

Juve are also tracking Portuguese wide-man Nani, who has frustrated the United faithful for many years.

Possessing of obvious talent and skill, the 27-year-old often flatters to deceive, drifting in and out of games, and often struggles for consistency.

Juventus see real potential in the player however, and are willing to take a gamble on the explosive wide-man.

United look set to continue their squad reshuffle this summer, having already sanctioned the sale of Anderson to Fiorentina.

The Brazilian completed a medical in Italy yesterday, and moves to Serie A on loan for the rest of the season.

Along with Nani and Evra, the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, and Shinji Kagawa have also been linked with moves away recently, with the summer shaping up to be a particularly important one for the club.

What do you think? Should Moyes lose both Nani and Evra? Let US know in the comments below…

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Balotelli: I can't wait to play for Seedorf

Mario Balotelli says he is looking forward to getting to work under the new AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf following the Dutchman's appointment this week.

The Rossoneri's poor form has seen them slide into the bottom half of Serie A, with Sunday's 4-3 defeat at lowly Sassuolo resulting in the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri.

However, the announcement of Seedorf as the new boss at Milanello has been welcomed by the club's star striker.

"It was disappointing to see Allegri leave, but Seedorf has come in and it is very exciting to work with somebody like him," Balotelli told reporters at a Puma boot launch in Barcelona.

"Seedorf's record with Milan can be transmitted to the players. It is a good thing that he brings that experience with him."

While Seedorf and Milan face their own tough prospect in the Champions League next month against Atletico Madrid, Balotelli was also asked to give his verdict on his former club Manchester City, who will take on Barcelona in the last 16.

"City can definitely beat Barcelona, and I really hope they do," he admitted. "I have a lot of good friends there, so I will be cheering for Manchester City. But it will be a very difficult game."

His former City manager Roberto Mancini is another feature of the knockout stages after a dramatic late win over Juventus saw his Galatasaray side progress at the Old Lady's expense, and Balotelli admitted that his loyalties were split when watching the win-or-bust clash in Turkey.

"I was just hoping for a spectacular game really. I wanted Juventus to do well because I am Italian, but I had a very good experience with Mancini at City, so I want him to do well also."

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£15m Chelsea target could be heading to Germany

German giants Borussia Dortmund are targeting Inter Milan central defender Andrea Ranocchia in the January transfer window.

In December, The Mirror reported that Chelsea are looking to bolster their central defence and are targeting Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia.

The 25-year-old has made 14 appearances this season and has bagged a goal to his name. His stats are pretty impressive as well. With 26 tackles and 25 interceptions already, he has become one of the key players for the Nerazzurri this season.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has three centre-backs – John Terry, Gary Cahill and David Luiz – at his disposal, and although media reports continue to speculate the Brazilian’s future, it seems highly unlikely that Luiz would be allowed to leave in the January transfer window.

According to reports in Italy, German giants Borussia Dortmund are looking to add a quality defender to their ranks and have targeted the £15m rated Italian defender. Dortmund are missing the services of Subotic and Hummels through injuries and therefore are looking for a defender with similar attributes.

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Juventus could go for Luis Suarez if Pogba departs

Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport reports the Serie A Champions Juventus will target the likes of Luis Suarez, Karim Benzema or Diego Costa, should they lose star midfielder Paul Pogba.

Juventus like any other top clubs have no intentions of selling their star midfielder Pogba, but they would be helpless, if mega-rich clubs like PSG puts a handsome offer on the table. The Bianconeri are not only hoping to keep the 20-year-old with them, as he has established as one of the best young midfielders in the world at the moment, but the Italian giants are also planning a contract extension as well.

Gazzetta reports that Juventus director Beppe Marotta is not only planning to extend the contract of Pogba and Pirlo, but is also plotting a counter-plan, should the Frenchman leave the club.

In that case, the club will make heavy investment in the strike department. They want another world class striker like Carlos Tevez and have lined up few options – top of that list is Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

Reds fans will remember that Juventus have been monitoring Suarez for couple of years now and even tried to lure him in the past, but with no effect. But, Juventus fear that Suarez could cost around 85m Euros, as he has recently signed a new long-term contract, while meeting his weekly wages could be a hindrance as well.

Alternatively, they have lined up Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa and Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic, should they fail to lure Suarez from Merseyside.

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Arsenal make contact with Giovinco, but could he replace Walcott?

Arsene Wenger may be set to offset the loss of Theo Walcott by signing Juventus attacker Sebastian Giovinco, after it was revealed that the Gunners had made contact with the player’s agent.

The diminutive playmaker has spent his entire career at the ‘Old Lady’, bar a couple of loan moves, having come through the youth ranks in Turin.

Able to play across the forward line, he is known for his dribbling skills and delicate link-up play. With an electric turn of pace and great balance, Giovinco also has an eye for the spectacular.

Still only 26-years-old, the Italian has been primarily used as an impact sub this season, and could benefit from a move away to enhance his credentials in light of the impending World Cup this summer.

Noted Italian football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that contact has been made between the two parties, and the consensus is that Arsenal are desperate to find a replacement for the injured Walcott.

Wenger admitted this week that he may have to dip into the January window after losing his England winger,

“[Walcott's injury] has accelerated speculation first and of course my desire as well,” Wenger told the club’s official website.

“Up front we lose Theo as a potential central forward and that’s maybe where we have to look outside, but we hopefully have [Nicklas] Bendtner back in three weeks. We are there for the opportunities but it’s very difficult at the moment.”

Theo Walcott is one of the fastest, most direct wingers around, and he will be hard to replace. But Arsenal have not primarily relied upon out-and-out wingers this season, with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey the key operators in Arsene Wenger’s table-topping side.

Giovinco is able to play out wide, but could be utilised alongside Santi Cazorla or Mesut Ozil just behind the striker in a formation Arsenal have used to great effect this season.

The Italian, nicknamed ‘Atom Ant’ due to his size and agility, has not been the most consistent of late, but Wenger may relish the prospect of working with a player so attuned to the style of football being played at the club.

The Metro have claimed a short term loan deal for Giovinco is in the pipeline, and with the player currently stuck on the bench at Juve, and Arsenal’s need for a vibrant attacker to fill a troubling void, this could be an excellent deal for the Gunners if it materialises.

What do you think? Would Giovinco be a good signing? Let us know in the comments below…

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Chelsea: Barca rival Blues for ace

Chelsea target Fredy Guarin has been linked with a move to Barcelona.

The Colombian attacking midfielder from Inter Milan has been heavily linked with a move to west London and Chelsea this January transfer window. However, that speculation has started to cool in recent weeks and the former Porto midfielder has now been linked with a move to Barcelona.

Guarin had been waiting for clarification over his future at Inter, where he worked under Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, from new owner Erick Thohir and he was promised a contract renewal last June, according to his agent.

Spanish giants Barcelona have entered the race for Guarin, according to Italian newspaper La Republica, but are yet to lodge an official bid.

Guarin had been interesting his former boss Mourinho who may need to fill a void in midfield should two-time Player of the Year Juan Mata move on. Mata reacted angrily to being substituted recently and has not featured as much as he may have expected under Mourinho this season. The Portuguese boss has told the Spanish international that his door is open should he wish to discuss his position.

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Manchester United launch £20m bid for Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio

MANCHESTER UNITED have made a £20m offer for Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who has also been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Reports in Italy suggest that the Red Devils have approached the Turin giants about the availability of Marchisio and are willing to part with £20m to bring the 27-year-old to Old Trafford.

United are keen to add an extra midfielder in January in a bid to halt their faltering form and the experienced Italian international fits the bill.

Juventus were knocked out of the Champions League in December and reports suggested that Marchisio might be sacrificed to help offset the resulting financial shortfall, estimated at £17m.

Marchisio is reportedly surplus to requirements at Juve with Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal considered the midfield of the future by the Italian club.

However, despite concerns about how a lack of playing time might affect his World Cup chances, Marchisio is on record as saying he wants to stay at Juve where he has spent the entirety of his career after coming through the youth ranks.


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Napoli to rival Man Utd for midfielder

Napoli manager Rafael Benitez looks set to rival Manchester United for Valencia midfielder Ever Banega.

Reports in both the Italian and Spanish press have linked the Serie A side, under the former Liverpool boss, with potentially making a move for the 25-year-old Argentina international.

The playmaker has been with the Spanish side since 2008 where he has played 133 games for the Primera Division side. Manchester United have already been linked with being interested in Banega as well as Tottenham Hotspur. Should Napoli now also join the race a bidding war is very likely to break out.

Banega, who is currently valued at around £16 million, is under contract to Valencia until June 2015 but with all the interest at the moment it would seem that he would leave the club before that expires.

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Lamela agent flies out for Inter Milan talks

According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the agent of Tottenham misfit Erik Lamela has flown to Italy, and will meet with Inter Milan officials in the next few days.

The report (via tuttomercatoweb.com) claims that the Argentine’s agent, Pablo Sabbag, will look to negotiate a loan move to the Nerazzurri for his client during the January transfer window.

The former Roma attacker has endured a miserable start to his Tottenham career, and has only played 331 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Restricted to fleeting cameo appearances, rumours of his discontent have started to do the rounds, and the Gazetta’s report  is the latest in a saga that may well be finished with by the end of January.

Here at Soccerlens, we have followed proceedings closely, and we brought you the news last week that Juve and Atletico were also following the 21-year-old.

Lamela’s personal stance is unclear at this juncture, but it would a surprise if Tottenham supremo Daniel Levy permitted his £30m summer investment to depart in January, even on loan. Known for his tough stance in the transfer window, it would take a particularly tempting deal to even make him look twice.

Inter have little with which to offer Spurs bar straight cash incentives, and it is Chelsea that would surely benefit the most from any deal. With their purchase of Fredy Guarin reportedly at an advanced stage, the Serie A club’s signing of Lamela on loan would surely see the Colombian safely onto the plane for West London.

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Arsenal: Juventus join chase for Spanish striker

Juventus are reportedly lining up a summer bid for young Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The talented 21-year-old is a highly rated prospect at the Bernabeu, but faces a great deal of competition for places with so many world class attacking players at the club already.

The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur had been linked with loan moves for the player, though manager Carlo Ancelotti ruled out the possibility of Morata leaving the club this January.

However, Juventus now seem likely to register an interest next summer, with the Italian giants keen to strengthen their options upfront as they seek to establish themselves among the very best clubs in Europe.

With the likes of Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella likely to leave the club, Morata could make an excellent purchase for manager Antonio Conte.

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Napoli confirm interest in Nainggolan

Serie A giants Napoli have added fuel to speculations linking them with a January move for Cagliari star Radja Nainggolan.

It is no secret the Azzurri are looking to sign a quality midfielder this month, with Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons their number one target.

However, it appears they are also keen on Cagliari hotshot Radja Nainggolan, as witnessed by the latest comments of sporting director Riccardo Bigon.

“Nainggolan? There is nothing special except the interest in a player who is not the only footballer on our wish list,” Bigon explained to Sky Sport Italia.

“He may have the right features for us, we play with two central midfielders and he could adapt. He has the quality to cover different roles on the pitch.”

Top Serie A sides have been vying for Nainggolan ever since Cagliari chairman Massimo Celino revealed that the player would be sold this winter.

Local rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan are also believed to be keen, with reigning champions Juventus also in the mix.

Radja Nainggolan, 25, has spent last four years at Cagliari having joined from Piacenza, making 131 Serie A appearances for Isolani and scoring 7 goals.

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Man Utd tracking Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inler

Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inler is reportedly on Manchester United's radar.

Inler was linked with United, as well as rivals Manchester City, before he joined Napoli from Udinese in 2011, while more recently, Arsenal have been linked with the 29-year-old.

Just last month, Inler refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal during this month's transfer window, but according to TuttoMercatoWeb, United boss David Moyes is showing interest in the Switzerland international.

Moyes is widely expected to bring in at least one midfielder before the end of the month.

Speaking before Christmas, Inler had said of a move: "The transfer market? You will have to ask my agent, I do not pay attention to these things.

"I’m completely focused on my duties as a player."

Inler is under contract at Napoli until 2016.

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Pjanic to extend at Roma

Roma are set to frustrate Manchester United by extending the contract of wanted midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

The Old Trafford outfit, as well as Tottenham, have been paired with the Bosnian ace whose present agreement is set to expire in 2015.

However, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, the capital club are ready to renew his deal at the Olimpico.

The former Lyon player, netted in 2011, will apparently be handed fresh terms until June 2018. He will also see his wages rise to €2.8m a season after tax.

Pjanic, three goals in nine League games this term, is expected to put pen to paper at some stage in November.

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Chelsea and Man United keen to tempt Cambiasso to England

Manchester United and Chelsea are keeping tabs on Esteban Cambiasso's situation at Inter Milan.

The Mirror says new Inter owner Erick Thohir is said to be astonished at their frightening wage bill and has decreed that none of their players should earn more than €2.5million (£2.07m) per year.

This could mean trouble for Cambiasso, 33, who earns £3.7million a year at the Italian giants.

He could walk straight into the arms of former boss Jose Mourinho, under whom he won the 2010 Champions League and a historic Treble, at the Blues or join midfielder-hungry Premier League champions United.

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Chelsea’s €60m Higuain bid rejected

Chelsea have had a £50 million bid for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuaín rejected as Jose Mourinho tries to add some much-needed firepower to his attack.

Napoli have not given any encouragement to Chelsea in their efforts to land Higuaín and insist the Argentine, who played under Mourinho at Real Madrid, is not for sale.

Higuaín has scored nine goals in 16 league games since moving from Spain to Italy in the summer.

That may not deter Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who agrees the lack of goals from strikers is the major weakness in the side.

He is willing to back Mourinho in the transfer market, even though the club posted losses of almost £50 million last season.

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Manchester United ready to break the bank for Juventus star Arturo Vidal

Manchester United could be set to break the bank to sign Juventus star Arturo Vidal.

The Chile international has been one of the many names mooted with a move to Old Trafford to help bolster the champions flaky midfield.

The 26-year-old has long stated his desire to stay in Turin, but according to French newspaper Le 10 Sport may be persuaded to change his mind with extremely lucrative personal terms.

It would still be something of a coup if boss David Moyes managed to pull off the deal, Vidal having only signed a new deal at the club last month.

Moyes is expected to be a busy man over the next month with a host of famous faces linked with January moves.

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Liverpool chase Udinese's Badu

Liverpool are thought to be showing an interest in Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemeng Badu.

According to English newspaper Metro, manager Brendan Rodgers has put the Ghana international top of his wish-list for the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old is reportedly the subject of a £7m offer from the Anfield club.

However, he is also wanted by Arsenal and Tottenham, who had previously sent scouts to watch him.

Badu has been in Italy since January 2010, when he joined Udinese from Ghanaian club Berekum Arsenals for just £440,000.

He can play as a midfielder or in defence, where was occasionally used in emergency situations by the Friulani.

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Kuzmanovic: I want to stay at Inter

Zdravko Kuzmanovic has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Inter in the January transfer window.

The Serbian midfielder, who joined from Stuttgart last January, has been struggling to secure regular first team action at the Nerazzurri under head coach Walter Mazzarri and has recently been linked with a winter transfer.

However, Kuzmanovic is determined to prove his worth at the club and has revealed that he turned down a number of offers last summer.

"I definitely want to stay because I'm happy here. I know my team-mates and I feel good," the 26-year-old told Sky Sport 24.

"Is it true I turned down moves to England and Germany last summer? Yes, there were a few offers but I didn't want to leave Inter in June and I'm not thinking about it now either.

"I always say that when the gaffer needs me I'm ready. There are lots of us here and only 11 can step onto the pitch, so it's normal the coach should have to make his choices."

Kuzmanovic has made just three Serie A appearances so far this term due to injuries.

The midfielder has a contract with Inter until June 2017.

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De Laurentiis: Napoli are the envy of Italy

Aurelio De Laurentiis says he is confident that 2014 will herald the dawn of a successful new age for Napoli.

The outspoken president used his annual end of year address to compliment the work of coach Rafa Benitez, and claim that the rest of Serie A are envious of the way the San Paolo club are ran.

The Naples outfit underwent a seismic summer overhaul after losing long-standing coach Walter Mazzarri and star striker Edinson Cavani, but have rallied to lie third in the Serie A table heading into the winter break.

And De Laurentiis says he can only see things getting better into the New Year.

“We have to be pleased with what 2013 brought. The fans want to win and that is all, but we must remember that we started out as a club built from nothing," the 64-year-old told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Italian clubs struggle to compete with the revenue of Europe’s giants. We followed Financial Fair Play rules and were able to achieve as much as other clubs without wasting millions. We have less than half the turnover of Juventus.

“I send a message to those know-it-alls who tell us to buy him or him: I am proud of the Napoli players who are envied by everyone."

And De Laurentiis also insisted that Benitez is the right man to lead Napoli forward.

"We wanted an international choice and a coach capable of giving our football an identity like the most important clubs in the world, with a complex 4-2-3-1 system," he continued.

"Our objective is to keep reinforcing Napoli via Benitez and give him time to reap what he sows. No offence, but I don’t see other more prestigious clubs doing that well.”

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Caceres ready to rebuff Roma and Napoli

Martin Caceres has no desire to leave Juventus despite interest from Roma and Napoli, the defender's agent has confirmed.

Caceres, 26, joined Juventus from Sevilla in July 2012 but has made just seven appearances in all competitions for Antonio Conte's men this season.

The Uruguay international is thought to be considering his future in Turin ahead of the 2014 World Cup, but representative Daniel Fonseca insisted Caceres is not interested in a move in January.

"Roma, Napoli and other big clubs asked about Caceres," Fonseca told Tuttosport.

"However, Martin is in love with Juventus and wants to remain in Turin.

"Of course I expected him to play more, because he is a very strong defender, but it’s only normal at a big club like Juve to have a large squad full of quality."

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