Despite being on the other side of the world, Juventus continues to move on the market. And from Australia filters the rumor according to which Massimiliano Allegri would have asked none other than Ezequiel Lavezzi as reinforcement. Not just any goal, but one of the precious pieces of the pharaonic squad of Paris Saint Germain. Alessandro Moggi is acting on a mandate from Juventus, which at the moment has not yet made a formal request to the French. But contacts with the Argentine's attorney, Alejandro Mazzoni, are almost daily, and if Lavezzi expresses a willingness to leave Paris (especially if Di Maria arrives too) Juve don't want to be caught unprepared. The biggest problem concerns his salary, because Pocho earns five million euros a year and Marotta should offer him the same with a four-year contract, for an investment (excluding the price tag) which would amount to 40 million euros gross.
Lavezzi's name was one of those put on the table at Arcore, where the fifth market meeting between Berlusconi, Galliani and Inzaghi was held last night. The three took stock of the situation, trying to plan future strategies. Inzaghi has reiterated the need for a winger, and Lavezzi could be right up his alley. As for Juve, the main issue concerns his salary, as well as the fact that the Argentine would have to settle for a season without the prestigious stage of the Champions League. The alternative is represented by Douglas Costa, the 23-year-old Brazilian left-handed from Shakthar Donetsk, who would like to leave Ukraine in a hurry after the war broke out in the country. The valuation, however, is at least 25 million euros, and the good relations between the player's agent, Kia Joorabchian, and Adriano Galliani are of little consolation. The Ukrainians don't want to sell him out, and competition from other teams is dangerous. The trail that leads to Alessio Cerci (Filippo Inzaghi's favourite) seems to have cooled down, due to Urbano Cairo's valuation of 18-20 million euros (not negotiable). Milan wouldn't want to go beyond 13-15, but between now and the end of the market, anything can still happen. Silvio Berlusconi has the last word: if at the end of the evening he gives his approval for a purchase, Galliani will immediately get to work.
At Inter everything revolves around the name of Guarin, in the remake of the film already seen last January. Ausilio has established the figure (14-15 million), whoever is interested should come forward. In addition to Juventus (to be evaluated if Allegri thinks like Conte who had identified him as a possible replacement for Vidal) there is the interest of Manchester United, which would turn to the Colombian if he fails to snatch Vidal (Van Gaal's real goal) to Juventus. Less interesting was Tottenham's offer, which offered 12 million euros plus striker Soldado, who, however, is not of particular interest to Mazzarri. The Nerazzurri coach indicated the missing pawn in an attacking winger, and the identikit has a precise name, that of Biabiany. The offer to Parma for now is 3-4 million plus Schelotto, but the Emilians are asking for double the money. That's why the sale of Guarin becomes the balance of the Nerazzurri market. Not only that, because with the remaining money, Ausilio would be ready for the decisive assault to bring Rolando back to the Nerazzurri, further thinning the squad with the departures of various Laxalt, Campagnaro, Mbaye and Silvestre. Medel's contract deposited in the League, arrived not on loan but outright.
Tense air in Naples where in recent days some fans have displayed a banner that read "Daring doesn't hurt" to the address of the president Aurelio De Laurentiis, accused by his supporters of stagnation on the market, where up to now he has only scored the Koulibaly shot for defense. For the rest, flat calm, although Benitez has expressly requested some players to reinforce the team expected, among other things, from the difficult commitment in the Champions League playoff against Athletic Bilbao. The first name on the list remains that of Marrouane Fellaini of Manchester United (never mind the fact that the English club has formalized the shirt numbers for next season, giving him 31). The midfielder has already said he wants to leave and Napoli are now taking steps to approach the request of the English club who want 4,5 million for a one-year loan. De Laurentiis did not want to go beyond 2,5 and could go up to 3. According to the English press, the agreement between the two clubs already exists on the salary issue: the 125 euros a week will be divided in half between Napoli and United.
The alternative responds to the name of Jonathan De Guzman, 27-year-old Villarreal midfielder, last year on loan to Swansea. The negotiation got off to a strong start right away and the player would have already given his approval to move to Benitez's court. The meeting with the player's agent was positive. Napoli, however, would like him on loan with the right to buy, while there is already an offer from Qpr who would be willing to buy him outright.
In Rome the Benatia affair continues to hold court. Chelsea would have formalized an offer of 37,5 million, which would guarantee Roma a capital gain of 25 million. From London, Mourinho turned a deaf ear with a "We are not interested in Benatia" which no one believes, to the point that the Giallorossi are seriously considering the proposal. Not only that, because Sabatini is already probing the market looking for a replacement: the hot names are those of Basa (Lille), Chiriches (Tottenham), Balanta (River Plate) and, above all, Manolas of Olympiakos, on whom there would be but the strong interest of Arsenal. Time is running out, woe to be found unprepared.
