VIDAL IS IN TURIN FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.
ARSENAL SLOWS DOWN JUVE FOR ROSSI.
THE NEGOTIATION CONTINUES TOO CLOSE.
Arturo Vidal landed in Turin yesterday afternoon. The Chilean will undergo medical tests today and, if all goes well, he will sign the contract that will bind him to Juventus until 30 June 2016. The official announcement will arrive today, Monday at the latest, but there are no longer any doubts about the outcome positive of the deal. The figures of the negotiation are confirmed: 10,2 million will go to Bayer Leverkusen immediately, while 1 million will remain pending until next year (linked to the Juve standings). The Chilean, on the other hand, will receive 2,5 million for the next 5 years. With the purchase of Vidal closed, Marotta is playing all the chips on Giuseppe Rossi. The attacker (who is currently in Ireland with Villarreal) is confidently awaiting news from his agent Federico Pastorello, who, yesterday too, negotiated with the Spanish managers well into the night. The agreement between Juve and Rossi already exists, the one between the clubs remains to be found. Yesterday Arsenal, despite themselves, slowed down the operation. In fact, the Gunners want Santi Cazorla, Villarreal's other star. However, it is difficult for the Spaniards to decide to deprive themselves of both Rossi and Cazorla, which is why Wenger's offer risks creating an annoying setback for Marotta and Pastorello. Apart from Arsenal, however, the feeling is that the closing of the deal is very close, and that soon (perhaps already today) everything could end positively. Juventus offers 20 million cash plus 8 in bonuses, while Villarreal would like to raise the fixed amount (at least 22). In short, a little more effort and then the bianconeri will be able to celebrate the purchase of Pepito. But you have to hurry, because Juventus fans won't forgive any mistakes.
ROME, TAKEN HEINZE!
AFTER THE STOP FOR STEKELENBURG THINKS ABOUT VIVIANO.
TOTTENHAM INSISTS FOR VUCINIC.
Gabriel Heinze has reached an agreement with Roma. The 33-year-old Argentine defender (who left Marseille on a free transfer) landed in the capital yesterday afternoon. To the reporters present at the "Leonardo Da Vinci" airport, Heinze limited himself to a simple "No hablo". He will do it shortly, maybe already today, once the medical tests have passed. Then, the Argentine will sign a one-year contract, with an option for a second, for 600 euros per season. Roma thus closed the purchase of the central defender, but the (big) goalkeeper problem remains. Sabatini just can't give Luis Enrique the number one he needs. Sfumato Kameni and, complicated, Stekelenburg, the alternatives are starting to run out. That's why the Rome director doesn't want to let go of the Dutchman, even if the gap with Ajax is truly remarkable. The Giallorossi have offered 7 million, but the Dutch are asking for 12, with no intention of making any discounts. Sabatini hopes that Stekelenburg will be able to convince the Lanceri managers, also because the vice world champion goalkeeper's contract expires in 2012. Should he not succeed, the Giallorossi sporting director could try again to sign Viviano, courted by Genoa (who, however, seems to have turned to Frey) but has long been attracted to the capital. Inter would be willing to sell him, but would not accept a loan. A co-ownership could solve everything. Meanwhile, from England, Tottenham continues to undermine Vucinic. Spurs, who had already met Montenegrin agent Alessandro Lucci in London two weeks ago, are ready to raise their offer: from the 15 proposed (and rejected) to 17, which could perhaps convince Sabatini. However, Vucinic stalled while waiting for Juve to launch the decisive attack once the Rossi issue had been settled.
MILAN, WORKING FOR CASEMIRO.
FOR JANUARY GANSO CLOSER.
Galeotta was dinner on Tuesday evening. At Giannino, the Milanese market restaurant par excellence, Galliani, Preziosi and Branchini talked about many things. Of Montolivo (Galliani and Branchini) and of Casemiro (protagonist Preziosi). The most interesting talks have emerged above all on the San Paolo midfielder. Galliani and Preziosi are apparently setting up a Boateng-style operation, which last summer was bought in co-ownership deal by Genoa and Milan (it has now been bought by the Rossoneri). Casemiro costs 14 million and has also been followed by Inter for some time. That's why Milan is ready to move: moreover, Preziosi's help would allow the Rossoneri to sign the player without particularly burdening the budget. But Casemiro is not Milan's only Brazilian target. The dream is called Ganso. The attacking midfielder will not leave Santos until January, then, once the Club World Cup is played, he will move to Europe. There are many teams about him (PSG and Manchester United above all), but the player has already chosen Milan. Ganso allegedly confided to some friends that he only had the Rossoneri shirt in mind. Now the ball passes to Ariedo Braida, expected shortly in Brazil.
MANCHESTER DERBY FOR SNEIJDER?
TEVEZ COULD ENTER THE DEAL.
THE TURKISH PRESSING FOR CAMBIASSO CONTINUES.
Wesley Sneijder's situation is getting more complicated every day. Inter have already made it clear several times that, in the event of a maxi offer, the Dutchman would be let go. To date, only Malaga has come forward, presenting an offer of 35 million. However, Sneijder politely declined. Manchester United are interested, but apart from Ferguson's proclamations, no noteworthy faxes have arrived from Old Trafford. Among other things, to date, it seems unlikely that the Red Devils will be able to offer the amount requested by Massimo Moratti (40 million). And then a new hypothesis takes shape, which concerns Manchester City. Sheikh Mansour's company is grappling with the Tevez case, which wants to be sold. The Argentine would have liked to emigrate to Corinthias, but the figures requested by the Citizens have literally made the Brazilian managers flee. The key to unblocking this situation could be a Tevez – Sneijder exchange, which, at least tactically, would satisfy everyone. Furthermore, the rumors are increased by a meeting, filmed by the cameras, between Branca and Tevez. The two met (by chance, at least so it seems) in Sardinia, where both are spending a few days of vacation. Of course, in these transfer market times, a handshake between Branca and Tevez is certainly controversial.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray's pressure on Esteban Cambiasso continues. Fatih Terim wants him at all costs, and, according to the Turkish press, he has already reached an agreement in principle with the Argentine midfielder, on the basis of a maxi salary of 10 million per season. But Inter doesn't seem inclined to negotiate (if not for a sensational proposal), which is why Terim has already identified target number two: it is Felipe Melo, whom Juve, in fact, have put out of the squad.
MEETING BETWEEN NAPLES AND LAVEZZI.
MANCHESTER CITY IS ON THE POCHO.
In the end, a big player could really leave Naples. This is Ezequiel Lavezzi, courted by Manchester City (which, however, has Aguero as its first choice). However, Pocho is reachable, due to the 32 million release clause on his contract. That's why Riccardo Bigon had a long conversation yesterday with Alejandro Mazzoni, the Argentine's agent. Lavezzi pointed out to De Laurentiis that, in the event of a request from a top club, he would like to leave, and the Napoli president could do nothing but acknowledge this. In fact, the release clause would prevent De Laurentiis from blocking the transfer, which was done instead with Hamsik and Cavani. For now, the Pocho is not moving, but the question is far from closed.
SANCHEZ TO BARCELONA, NOW IT'S OFFICIAL.
GENOA WANTS GILARDINO AND FREY, Aquilani STAYS AT LIVERPOOL.
CATANIA - LO MONACO: SHOCKING RESIGNATION!
Alexis Sanchez is officially a Barcelona player. The end of a soap opera that lasted almost two months came around 20.30 last night. The Barça website communicated the closing of the deal with lots of figures: 26 million will go to Udinese immediately, plus 11,5 million linked to bonuses. In total, therefore, the Catalans will pay out 37,5 million for the Chilean.
Less high-sounding business in Italy, but still significant. Genoa has asked Fiorentina for Alberto Gilardino and Sebastien Frey. Corvino has shown himself open to any speech, but the purple square is roaring. Fiorentina, if they decide to sell Gila (who, some time ago, had cashed in), would turn to Floccari, aided by Genoa, who are negotiating the purchase of the Lazio striker with Lotito. The Frey question is more enigmatic: Preziosi is unable to unblock the Viviano deal, therefore he has returned to the French, some time ago already linked to the rossoblu. Fiorentina who will have to give up on the Aquilani dream. The Roman midfielder will play 100% for Liverpool next season, at least according to what his agent Zavaglia said yesterday. But the most shocking news of yesterday came from Catania. Pietro Lo Monaco has resigned as managing director of the Sicilian team. The reason? The (true) rumors of Lo Monaco's interest in joining the Lotito – Mezzaroma consortium for the purchase of Salernitana (which took place yesterday). Surprised and embittered Antonino Pulvirenti, president of Catania, who took note of the CEO's resignation, but who perhaps, in his heart, still hopes to mend a relationship that has now lasted for 10 years.
