Latest Serie A News

[sky star 2]

DONATI BARI TALK PLAYED DOWN

Massimo Donati's agent has played down reports linking the Celtic midfielder with a move to Bari.

Reports emanating from Italy have suggested the Serie A new-boys are lining up a move to bring the former AC Milan man back to his homeland.

Donati looked set to quit Celtic this summer after falling out of favour under Gordon Strachan, but he has been given a chance to impress under new Bhoys boss Tony Mowbray.

The Italian's representative Andrea D'Amico insists there has been no interest from Bari, but hinted Donati's future could be resolved following the Champions League qualifier with Arsenal.

"The player is preparing with Celtic for the play-off stage of the Champions League. So until August 26 there will be no decisions made about his future," said D'Amico.

"If a return to Italy were an option then this would take place in the last few days of the transfer market.

"But if Celtic are in the Champions League again that would be something he would find hard to walk away from."

Meanwhile, Celtic are poised to sign Alloa youngster Greig Spence.

The former Rangers starlet is set to undergo a medical at Parkhead after impressing Celtic's coaching staff.

Alloa boss Allan Maitland was delighted to see the 17-year-old win the chance to join the Scottish giants.

"It will be a bit of an adjustment for him going from first-team football to Celtic's Under-19s,"Maitland told the Daily Record.

"He'll have to work hard to return to the first-team environment. It's a great move, fantastic. We couldn't hold the boy back because the only way to develop as a footballer is to go full-time."

 

[sky star 2]

Cannavaro ‘Honoured’ To Break Maldini’s Appearance Record For Italy


Italy travelled to Basel to take on Switzerland in an international friendly match on Wednesday night, a game which ended in a goalless draw.

The night marked a special occasion for the captain of the Azzurri, Fabio Cannavaro, who surpassed Paolo Maldini’s record for most appearances made for the Italian national team.

Cannavaro played his 127th match for his country against the Swiss, and despite the underwhelming result, he felt honoured to better the mark set by Maldini.

“It’s a great honour to wear this shirt just once, and it is a dream for everyone, from early on in their childhood,” Cannavaro explained to Rai.

“It is a great honour to have passed a man like Paolo Maldini, who was, and still is, a true example to many who love this game.

“For me, records are there to be beaten, so I’m sure that this will happen again in the future. Again though, it’s a great honour, and I know now that I have an even greater responsibility for my country.”

The Azzurri captain concluded the interview by making a few comments regarding the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

He continued, “Firstly we have to qualify, then I feel the inclusion of some younger players will be crucial to us defending the World Cup.

“If we play at our very best, then I don’t think there’s any team out there that can beat us.”

 

[sky star 2]

Amantino Mancini: I Have No Intention Of Leaving Inter

Amantino Mancini joined Inter just under 13 months ago from Roma. But following an indifferent first season with his new club, the Brazilian has been strongly linked with a move elsewhere this summer.

Mancini has been rumoured to be on the agenda of a whole host of clubs, including fellow Italians Sampdoria, the English club West Ham United, currently managed by Gianfranco Zola, and the French powerhouse Lyon.

Despite this, the 29-year-old is satisfied at the Nerazzurri, and has no intentions of leaving the Italian champions at any stage this summer.

“I’m fine at Inter. Sure I would like to play a little more, but in the end I'm well, I’m happy, and I like everyone at the club,” Mancini stated to Sky Sport24.

“[Jose] Mourinho has given me hope to find some more playing time this season, but there are many others that he has promised this too as well.

“I will have to work hard in training, and do my best when given the chance on the field. I will try to do that and if an opportunity comes my way, then I will try to make the most of it.”

Mancini will be eager to attain a spot in Inter’s starting line-up for their opening Serie A fixture against Bari at the San Siro stadium next Sunday.

 

[sky star 2]

OFFICIAL: Milan Release Kalac & Bring In Monaco’s Flavio Roma

Reports earlier this week indicated that Zeljko Kalac’s future at Milan was up in the air, following an inconsistent pre-season that has seen him slide down the goalkeeping ranks at the club.

Consequently, the Rossoneri were strongly linked to Flavio Roma of Monaco as a direct replacement, and as of only a few hours ago, the move has officially been announced.

The San Siro outfit released a statement on their official website, which read, "AC Milan announce that by consensus, it has decided to terminate the working relationship with the player Zeljko Kalac. We thank him for what he has done for the Rossoneri in the past, and we wish him all the very best for the future.

"AC Milan also would like to announce that it has acquired the full rights to Flavio Roma from Monaco, who has signed a contract until June 30 2010."

Roma managed to make 247 appearances for his now-former French club from 2001 to 2009. At 35 years of age, he isn’t aiding the Rossoneri’s cause of lowering the average age of their squad.

 

[sky star 2]

Fiorentina’s Mario Santana Wants To Join Roma

Mario Santana could very well be on his way out of Fiorentina, after he recently declared his intent to join Roma.

Santana has been linked with a move to the Giallorossi for the large majority of the summer; however, he and his agent have both quashed the rumours on every occasion to this point.

This time though, it seems as if the player has had enough, as the Viola are unwilling to meet his contract demands, which therefore could see him leave the club.

Santana's current deal expires in June 2010, and his request of a year extension is yet to be considered by the Viola, which has provoked his latest reaction.

“I’d like to stay in Florence, but more importantly, I would like to play for a club that want me to be there,” Santana explained to Ansa.it.

“My agent and I have been discussing the option of joining Roma recently, and it is a chance of happening now, as I don’t think the Viola feel the same way as I do.

“I am wanted in Rome, and again, I would love to play at a club that felt like that about me.”

Whilst the Argentine’s club career remains in limbo, Santana is also hoping to launch his international career in the coming months under the legendary Diego Maradona.

He said, “I am hoping to be called up by Maradona; however, I am aware that I must make the most of every opportunity I have to impress him.

“The coach has so far given opportunities to a number of players, so why can’t I be next?”

 

[sky star 2]

Napoli Have Not Contacted Me For Bologna’s Mudingayi – Agent

Napoli have already made a number of key acquisitions this summer, including Fabio Quagliarella, Luca Cigarini, Juan Zuniga and Hugo Campagnaro.

The latest man to be linked with a move to the Azzurri is Bologna’s Gaby Mudingayi, a 27-year-old midfielder who has plenty of experience in the Italian top-flight.

Despite the reports, his agent Massimo Lattuca has quashed the rumours by claiming that the Partenopei are yet to make any contact with him in regards to his client.

“There is no truth in these reports, as there has not been any contact with Napoli,” the agent explained to TuttoNapoli.net.

“Napoli have not spoken to me, nor the club, and for now the only interest is coming from Fenerbahce in Turkey.”

The Turkish outfit were the first team to react when the coach of the Rossoblu, Giuseppe Papadopulo, officially put the former Lazio man up for sale yesterday.

 

[sky star 2]

Antonio Cassano Staying Put - Sampdoria President

Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano will remain at his current club, according to president Riccardo Garrone, who denied that the controversial but talented player is on his way out.

Garrone confirmed that Cassano will continue playing for the Blucerchiati this season and rubbished the reports claiming that he will be joining Inter in the coming weeks.

"Are there still any possibilities that Inter sign Cassano? Absolutely not," declared the Blucerchiati's supermo to the Guerin Sportivo.

"Antonio will remain with us at 100 per cent. In the two years he spent with us, he always behaved in the best possible way and we don't want to sell him."

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has often expressed his admiration for Cassano’s talents and might still not be put off by Garrone’s words.

The 27-year-old player has been at Sampdoria since 2007 and has made 57 appearances in Serie A for the club, contributing 22 goals.

 

[sky star 2]

Domenico Criscito Thrilled By Italy Debut

Genoa defender Domenico Criscito may have paved the way for his participation in the 2010 World Cup as he gave a good performance for Italy in their goalless draw against Switzerland.

Criscito managed to play for 80 minutes and gave his best in the defensive duties, even though he was also dangerous when going forward, thus earning the praise of Marcello Lippi

"The national team coach [Lippi] complimented me at the end of the game," declared the former Juventus player to La Repubblica. "It was really a nice evening."

Criscito's debut could have been even better as he almost scored a goal when he headed the ball in the 13th minute, before Giorgio Chiellini's effort from the rebound was annulled.

"Pity about the missed chance, it would have been the perfect match," he commented.

Even captain Fabio Cannavaro was full of praise for the young defender.

He said, "I complimented Criscito and even I say that it's a pity for that missed goal."

 

[sky star 2]

Giancarlo Abete Praises Fabio Cannavaro's Commitment For Italy

Against Swtizerland, it was captain Fabio Cannavaro's night as he broke the legendary Paolo Maldini's record for most appearances in the Italian national team.

Cannavaro played his 127th match for the Azzurri in the 0-0 draw, a feat which was highlighted by Italy Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete.

"He's a player who in the national team has maintained an important commitment, in terms of motivations, despite a career full of effort with big clubs," declared the supremo.

"It was nice to award him and I think that for him it was a great success to overtake Paolo Maldini."

Abete also commented about the bigger respect for himself and the Italian national team abroad than at home.

"It goes for both the individual players as well as for the Italian football," he continued. "We were in Peking for the Italian Super Cup and we found a great appreciation for our football which was of the first level."

Despite all this, Italy were unable to go further than a goalless draw against Switzerland, and critics are already starting to doubt the Azzurri's credentials for winning the World Cup next year.

 

[sky star 2]

Arrigo Sacchi: Important Purchases For Juventus, But Inter Are Still Stronger

Arrigo Sacchi believes that Inter are still too strong for their competitors in Serie A, even though he acknowledged that Juventus have made excellent signings in the past months.

However, Sacchi does not think that the Bianconeri have managed to reduce the gap dividing them from the Nerazzurri, since the latter have also managed to sign some excellent players.

"The Bianconeri have made important purchases: Diego and [Martin] Caceres above all," declared the former Milan coach to Il Giornale. "However, even the Italian champions made good purchases with [Samuel] Eto'o, [Diego] Milito and Lucio.

"In my opinion the distance between the two remains unchanged. Inter is stronger. However, we must understand whether Mourinho's men, after winning four consecutive league titles, will have the motivations to repeat themselves.

"It would be a historical feat. In football motivations are fundamental. If you lack them, you don't win anything. It's like having a Ferrari without gas."

Sacchi might be forgetting that with or without gas, in these past two years Ferrari have not won the F1 constructor's title...

 

[sky star 2]

Free Agent Diego Lugano To Choose Lazio Or Fiorentina – Report

After being released from Turkish outfit Fenerbahce this summer, Diego Lugano has been a wanted man. He has not rushed his decision, but it now appears that his choice has been whittled down to just two clubs: Lazio and Fiorentina.

According to Firenzeviola.it, the Biancocelesti and the Viola are the prime contenders for Lugano's signature. While other clubs such as Roma and Ajax were also interested in the 28-year-old, it seems that the player's wage demands of €2m-per-season were too high for them to accommodate.

Lazio are understood to be offering Lugano a four or five-year contract, but have not quite matched the centre-back's wage demands. As a result, a move to Fiorentina could still be on the cards.

However, Claudio Lotito has been tracking Lugano for some time and is eager not to pass up the opportunity to sign an international centre-back on a free transfer. Moreover, given Roma's interest in the player, it would be a double coup for Lazio after they also beat the Giallorossi to the signing of Julio Cruz earlier this summer.

Lugano has announced that his final decision will be given on Sunday, when he will return to Europe and sign a deal with his next club.

 

[sky star 2]

David Beckham Does Not Rule Out Premier League Return

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has refused to rule out a return to England with a Premier League club.

The England international has been told by national team manager Fabio Capello that he must play European football in 2010 to stand any chance of making his World Cup squad.

Beckham remains focused on his commitments to the Galaxy, but has admitted he is almost certain to make a loan switch at the end of the MLS season, similar to the one he made to Milan earlier this year.

"At the moment all I'm concentrating on is the MLS," Beckham told Sky Sports News after England's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Wednesday night.

"After that's finished in a few months, I'll make plans.

"I'm 95 per cent, 99 per cent, sure that it will happen."

While Beckham appears to be most likely to return to Milan to secure his England future, he has not closed the door on a second Premier League bow.

"I'm not sure, you never know," he said. "I'm not going to stand here and say that will never happen

"Milan have expressed that they want me back."

 

[sky star 2]

Rafael Benitez: Alberto Aquilani Is No Gamble For Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has claimed the injury problems suffered by new signing Alberto Aquilani make him a bargain, rather than a gamble.

Aquilani has had an operation on his problematic ankle and will not be available to the Reds for the start of the Premier League season.

Despite the hindrance of the length of his recovery, Benitez believes the injury lowered the value of the former Roma midfielder on the transfer market.

"If Aquilani was in a normal market he could cost £25-30 million [€29-35m] but because of the operation he has on his ankle he was a bit cheaper," Benitez said, according to The Daily Mirror.

"We have to wait for a month for him to be fit, but he is a player we are signing for five years not for five matches.

"He had a bad tackle and an operation and that's normal he missed matches. It would be the same with [Fernando] Torres or [Steven] Gerrard. That is why I don't think his signing is a gamble.

"I was talking with a lot of people in Italy and people are saying it is a fantastic signing."

The signing of Aquilani almost immediately followed Xabi Alonso's departure from Anfield. The Spanish international signed for Real Madrid, something that Benitez is keen to move on from.

"We couldn't change the situation of Alonso," he said. "He decided to go, we have to progress.

"You have to manage in the best way you can."

Liverpool travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

 

[sky star 2]

Milan Target Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe – Report

Milan are considering a host of players to solve their left-sided problems, but believe that Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe is one of the best solutions.

Though Gareth Bale remains their first choice target, if a deal cannot be pushed through, Milan will return to los Merengues for another of the Spanish club’s Dutchmen, having signed Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from the Madrid club last week.

Although no official contact has yet been made between the clubs over Drenthe, who can fill in anywhere down the left flank, Il Corriere dello Sport suggests that Milan will sound Real Madrid president Florentino Perez out over a loan move in the coming hours.

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani is thought to be prepared to pay €3-4 million to take the 22-year-old on loan for a season, with an option to make the move permanent for around €7-8m at the end of the season.

The Rossoneri's final major transfer push will begin next week after the Trofeo Tim, and they are expected to move for Gareth Bale and Lorenzo De Silvestri. A move for the latter may be put on hold because the 21-year-old picked up an injury while playing for the Italian Under-21s and Milan will wait to see the extent of the damage.

 

[sky star 2]

Alvaro Negredo Expects Response From Roma By The Weekend – Agent

Real Madrid’s Alvaro Negredo is prepared to put all his other transfer dealings on hold as he waits to see what will happen with his proposed move to Roma, at least for the time being.

Reports on Wednesday suggested that Negredo had moved closer to the Premier League after Hull City and Blackburn Rovers both matched Real Madrid's €18 million valuation of the player, while Zenit St. Petersburg also put in an offer.

The player's preferred choice is reportedly Roma, however, the Giallorossi are proving to be slow movers in the transfer market this summer. Consequently, the player's agent, Alejandro Camano, has warned the Italians that his client is not prepared to wait for ever.

"We are prepared to wait for Roma for another two or three days," Camano told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"[Sporting director] Daniele Prade knows that, and he also knows that the player's wish is to play for the Giallorossi. Negredo would be honoured to play for Roma.

"But Real, in light of the offers that they have received, would now prefer to sell him. So now Roma must enter the race, and begin negotiations with Real Madrid's directors. However, they must buy him."

Though Roma have sold Alberto Aquilani to Liverpool for around €23m, that fee will go towards repayment of the club's debts rather than reinvestment in the team. However, €10m-rated Julio Baptista is wanted by Manchester City and Jeremy Menez could move to Marseille for a similar fee, allowing the Lupi to move for Negredo.

 

[sky star 2]

West Ham United Manager Gianfranco Zola Still Looking For Striker Solution

West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola remains committed to signing new strikers before the close of the transfer window on September 1.

The Hammers currently have only one senior forward available - England international Carlton Cole - as Dean Ashton remains sidelined by long-term injury problems.

Zola has admitted financial restraints will not make any movements easy, but he is still optimistic that he can bring in some new faces in attack.

"We're looking for at least two strikers, that's the idea," he said, according to Sky Sports News.

"It is not an easy market, but I think West Ham right now is an attractive team and I'm sure I will find the right person."

West Ham have been strongly linked with Zola's former Chelsea club-mate, Barcelona striker Eider Gudjohnsen, as well as Bayern Munich's Luca Toni, who is understood to be a personal friend of the former Napoli star.

Both players are out of favour at their respective clubs, with Toni's agent previously suggesting the Italy international would welcome a move to Upton Park.

 

[sky star 2]

Stephen Makinwa Is Leaving Lazio – Agent

Stephen Makinwa is poised to leave Lazio, according to his agent.

The 26-year-old has failed to settle down since moving to Italy as a youngster, having had spells at Genoa, Atalanta, Palermo and Lazio, as well as joining various clubs on loan.

Makinwa spent the second half of last season on loan at Chievo Verona, but the Flying Donkeys chose not to make the move permanent. The player's agent has now admitted that he will have to find the striker another club, as he is not wanted by Biancocelesti coach Davide Ballardini.

"I don't know if Lazio have offered him to Bologna, but from what I know I don't think so," Paolo Fabbri told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

"It is clear that the player is leaving Lazio, possibly on loan or maybe in another form. The player was very close to a foreign team, I cannot say which one, but then the transfer broke down.

"He would get on very well with [Siena coach Marco] Giampaolo, despite some problems they had at the end of last season."

Makinwa has 14 caps for Nigeria to his name, scoring just once, and has been similarly goal-shy in Serie A.

 

[sky star 2]

Udinese's Fabian Orellana To Join Estudiantes On Loan – Report

Fabian Orellana joined Udinese from Audax Italiano in a €1.5 million deal earlier this summer, but is set to follow the path of Alexis Sanchez and retrace his steps back to South America to continue his development as a player.

Udineseblog.it is reporting that Orellana could team up with Estudiantes in the coming days. El Leon, the current Copa Libertadores champions, are one of the favourites for the Argentine Apertura due to their strong squad, which is led by icon Juan Sebastian Veron, and the Copa Sudamericana commitments of many of the other major Argentine clubs.

Should the transfer fail to go through, Argentinos Juniors and Cruz Azul of Mexico are both interested in taking Orellana on loan.

After signing for Udinese in 2006, Alexis Sanchez was loaned out to Colo Colo and River Plate, and now the club are reaping the rewards of allowing their young star to continue to grow in South America.

Earlier this summer, Federico Laurito was loaned out to Huracan after a prolific period playing for Udinese's Primavera squad.

 

[sky star 2]

Juventus' Midfielders Are As Good As Barcelona's - Angelo Peruzzi

Angelo Peruzzi, the ex-Juventus and Lazio 'keeper, has opined on the season ahead and believes that the Old Lady will be a real force to be reckoned with.

"[Juventus have] a strong, compact and well-matched squad. Above all, the midfield is particularly impressive for solidity, quality and the number of options. I don't think it is inferior even to the great Barcelona," Peruzzi told Tuttosport.

Peruzzi played with current coach Ciro Ferrara during their time at Juventus in the 1990s, and believes that the former centre-back is well suited to management.

"I think he is keeping a low profile, which is ideal for a coach. He knows his football and has clear ideas. He doesn't lack anything that will stop him from winning again.

"I know the philosophy of the club and of Ferrara. Juventus will always go out to win. Obviously the Champions League will be more difficult [to win than the scudetto]."

While Peruzzi believes that club icon Alessandro Del Piero will maintain his high standards, the 39-year-old believes Claudio Marchisio and Paolo De Ceglie will also make big impressions in the coming campaign.

"[Del Piero] is extraordinary. He isn't young any more, but he continues to be decisive. What's more, he keeps on scoring!

"Marchisio and De Ceglie - they will be revelations," he concluded.

 

[sky star 2]

This Genoa Side Reminds Me Of Parma - Hernan Crespo

Hernan Crespo has professed his enthusiasm about the new season with new club Genoa, and admitted that there are many things about the Grifoni that remind him of his days at Parma.

"I came to Genoa because I want to keep winning," Crespo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It will not be easy, but the basics are there. The first step is crucial, though - be patient, take one step at a time. Do not forget that this team has changed a lot.

"Now our objective is to get through the qualifying round in Europe, where we have not been for 17 years. We should be competitive on at least one front in May.

"[Being at Genoa] is a dream and I confess that there is a lot here that reminds me of Parma," the 34-year-old continued.

"This Genoa team, like Parma, is made up of emerging talent combined with experienced players. There, we had [Lilian] Thuram, [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Fabio] Cannavaro, then [Juan Sebastian] Veron, Dino Baggio, [Enrico] Chiesa. It took two years, then in the third year we started to win. I don't know if this is the first year of Genoa's journey - I hope it is the third!"

Despite losing Diego Milito and Thiago Motta, the Grifoni have spent well in the transfer market this summer. They will have to hit the ground running, however, as they face Roma in the first game of the season, while Odense are bristling at the arrogance of president Enrico Preziosi and will be hoping to spring a surprise in the Europa League.