Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani wanted to remain in Italy, according to his agent.
• Comolli happy with transfers • Adam seals Reds switch • Downing 'not for sale'
Aquilani joined Liverpool from Roma in 2009 for a fee in the region of £20 million, despite his CV indicating the player was injury prone.
And he struggled for regular football and form at Anfield, the Italy international having made just nine Premier League appearances to date.
The 27-year-old spent last season on loan at Juventus where he impressed, but no permanent deal was agreed and he is now expected to be a Reds player for the forthcoming campaign.
"Alberto's thoughts were to stay in Italy, but this was not possible," Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia said to Radio Sportiva. "He had a positive season (at Juventus).
"I don't know if in this market there will be the possibility for him to return to Italy and it's a shame that our players are forced to go and play away from Italy."
However, he added: "Liverpool are an important club and they have overcome the problems they had a year ago with the previous owners so they can win the Premier League."
The Mill remembers when times were simple – a time when buying tickets for major sporting events didn't begin with an alarm call at 5.45am and end with a fist through a computer screen several hours later. In those heady days the transfer game was a lot easier too. Deals were done and dusted in the dead of night with personal terms negotiated in travel taverns attached to motorway service stations, possibly after the player had been smuggled into building in the boot of his agent's car. The first the rest of us heard of it was when Ceefax finally landed on page 302 delivering short, sharp burst of excitement through the spine.
There are occasionally days when we're reminded of those wonderful times. Days like today when we awake to the shocking news that – and you might want to sit down for this – Barcelona have made a £27m bid for the Arsenal skipper Cesc Fábregas. Who saw that coming? The verbal offer – barked down the phone by the Barça president, Sandro Rossell, to the Arsenal chief executive, Ivan Gazidis – was immediately rejected but Arsenal's "resolve could be tested" by an improved £35m offer. Their resolve in this case being their ability to go on listening to this any longer.
In better news for Arsenal fans, the club are in discussions with Velez Sarsfield over their midfielder Ricardo Alvarez. Arsenal would have to stump up £11m for the 23-year-old, who is also wanted by Internazionale, Malaga, Sevilla, Roma and Schalke. Arsène Wenger is also keen on Blackburn defender/stick-the-big-lad-up-front-in-the-dying-minutes Chris Samba who is desperate to get away from Ewood Park for some reason.
Tottenham are considering selling Brazilian midfielder Sandro to Villarreal for £12m while Wilson Palacios could be on his way to Paris Saint-Germain, while would leave a gaping hole in Tottenham's midfield. It's a hole which Harry Redknapp sees as being Lassana Diarra shaped but the French international is set to frustrate Spurs, along with other interested parties including Manchester United, by staying at Real Madrid for at least another year sparing the fans of those clubs the frustration of watching Diarra play one good game in 10 before being dropped and looking all sullen and disinterested on the bench.
Paris Saint-Germain are also 'preparing' a bid for Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov. The preparation in this case involves digging out some Miles Davis records, dimming the lights a little and ensconcing their training ground in velvet so that everything is just the way Berbatov likes it should he decide to move.
Chicken sales are booming which is great news for Blackburn's owners, Venky's, and their manager, Steve Kean, who is going to put £12m of cash into a family-size bucket and deliver it to Bundesliga club Freiberg in exchange for their 26-year-old Senegal striker Papiss Cissé. A smaller bargain bucket, containing "a six-figure fee that will rise if he makes it in the Premier League", is on its way to Paraguayan outfit Olimpia in return for their midfielder Rodrigo Baez.
Manchester City have been told that Udinese's tough-guy winger Alexis Sánchez will cost them £44m which seems to be about 50% more than anyone else has been quoted but that's what you get for being flash with your cash.
Raul Meireles's reward for been named Player of the Year by Liverpool fans could be a one-way trip to Turin. Juventus have gone all goo-eyed over the midfielder and have offered Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo in part-exchange. Kenny Dalglish has weighed up Melo against his criteria for new signings and decided the Brazilian is neither a) Stewart Downing, b) Charlie Adam, c) British or d) overpriced and has asked for £13.5m in cash for Meireles instead. Juventus are deciding whether or not to smash open the piggy bank.
If Porto thought they had seen the last of Roman Abramovich then they are sorely mistaken. Any day now the Chelsea owner is going to march up and bang on their door just like the Romans in The Life of Brian and proclaim 'there's one place we forgot to check' before storming in and emerging with Radamel Falcao. Porto's disappointment will be softened somewhat by the sack containing £26.5m in gold coins Abramovich will have left in the corner.
Marseille could make a move for Manchester City's striker Emmanuel Adebayor. First they need to offload Lucho González to Roma and that sounds rather complicated and it's Friday so they'll probably come back to it next week when they're fresh. Marseille also want one-time Liverpool reserve Alou Diarra and may not stop there. Didier Drogba could be in line for a return to Stade Vélodrome. "The question is can OM afford the salary of a Drogba for four years," said the Marseille president, Vincent Labrune. "I would say yes, but not 11 Drogbas," which is just as well because as far as we know he is only one man.
In other news, Roma want Barcelona mascot Bojan Krkic. Neil Warnock envisages Reading's Jobi McAnuff skipping down the wing at Loftus Road next season. Tranmere Rovers wonderkid Dale Jennings has a choice between West Ham and Bayern Munich, which sounds like a difficult choice and, finally, Scott Carson could be looking ruefully at the ground wondering how on earth that shot crept by him at Turkish side Bursaspor next season. Some things never change.
Kenny Dalglish is in danger of being saddled with a midfielder he does not want after Juventus told Alberto Aquilani that they will not be taking up the option to sign him on a permanent basis. On the day the Liverpool manager wrapped up the £20million acquisition of Sunderland's England Under 21 midfielder Jordan Henderson, Juventus finally confirmed that new coach Antonio Conte had won the battle of wills over on-loan Aquilani's future.
While Juve's board had given Aquilani assurances that they would be keeping him beyond his 12-month temporary stay, Conte insisted, after being recruited to replace the sacked Luigi Del Neri, that Liverpool's £17million signing from Roma had no place in his plans.
A bitterly unhappy Aquilani is now pinning his Serie A hopes on AC Milan following up their interest in him and agreeing a fee with Liverpool and personal terms with the 26-year old. Worryingly for Dalglish, Inter Milan are the only other realistic candidates for his signature. Unless either of the San Siro clubs come to the rescue, Aquilani will return to Anfield, despite his wife and young daughter wanting to stay in Italy.
Dalglish would then face the task of trying to coax the best out of a player who has slipped further down the pecking order, after Henderson's arrival, and is seething at his treatment by Juventus.
He claims a deal was in place in January, after an £8million fee was agreed between the clubs, and that Juve have gone back on their word. Milan are his best hope of salvaging a full-time move back to Serie A, after they lost Andrea Pirlo to Juventus, but Liverpool may have to take an even bigger financial hit than the one negotiated with the Turin club.
Liverpool have been told by Juventus that they are only prepared to offer £6million for Kop flop Alberto Aquilani.
The Reds are keen to cut their losses on Aquilani after farming him out on loan to Juve last season and were hoping the Turin club would take up the option of buying the Italian midfielder for £14million before the May 15 deadline.
However Juve failed to activate this clause and say they will only pay £6million to make Aquilani's move permanent, even though he still has three years left on his £80,000-a-week Anfield contract.
Liverpool are in a weak bargaining position and they do not want Aquilani back at Anfield as they close in on Sunderland's Jordan Henderson to rebuild their midfield.
They are also due to pay Roma the final £4.4million instalment of Aquilani's fee on June 30, taking his price to £17.6million.
Rafa Benitez's most expensive mistake has made just 28 appearances for Liverpool - the last coming in August - costing the Reds a staggering £630,000 per game.
Aqulani's agent, Franco Zavaglia, is hopeful a compromise deal can be reached with Juve and the former Azzurri star is keen to return to Turin.
Zavaglia also tried to talk up interest from AC Milan, although Liverpool are not sure if it is genuine.
"All season Juventus have always given me the necessary guarantees that they want to keep Alberto," he said.
"The next 24 hours will be decisive. Any eventual economic agreements will follow after Juventus make their decision.
"If Juventus can't do a deal for Alberto and he has to return to Liverpool, then Milan would certainly be a destination that he would accept."
Alberto Aquilani's fading hopes of securing a full-time move to Juventus are expected to be dashed once and for all when Antonio Conte is officially unveiled as the Turin club's new coach.
Juventus turned to Conte to replace the sacked Luigi Del Neri shortly after agreeing a cut-price £8million fee with Liverpool to turn Aquilani's season-long loan into a permanent transfer.
But former Siena boss Conte told Juve bosses he did not want the 26-year old midfielder and is expected to confirm as much at his inaugural press conference. Aquilani is desperate to stay in Italy, nearly two years after joining Liverpool from Roma for £17m, and may yet have his wish granted, with both Milan clubs interested in signing him.
Juventus have confirmed the signing of Andrea Pirlo on a three-year contract in a move which could jeopardise the proposed permanent deal for Liverpool's Alberto Aquilani.
Pirlo, the 32-year-old Italy midfielder, is ending a 10-year stay at Milan, and passed a medical in Turin on Tuesday.
A statement from Juventus read: "Andrea Pirlo is officially a Juventus player. The signed contract will run from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2014."
Pirlo, 32, has been one of Milan's most consistent performers for the past decade, helping them win two Champions League titles. He also won the World Cup with Italy in 2006.
Pirlo struggled with injuries and form this season, though, and made just 12 Serie A starts as Milan won the title.
His signing could now reduce the chance of Juventus also completing a deal for Aquilani, who spent the season at the club on loan from Liverpool. However Aquilani's agent insisted he believes a deal will still be done in the coming days.
"The percentage that Aquilani will remain at Juventus is above 50%," Franco Zavaglia told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He has three years left on his contract with Liverpool. I believe that in a couple of days the two clubs will reach an agreement."
Juventus, who failed to qualify for European football next season after finishing seventh in Serie A, had refused to pay the asking price of £16m demanded by Liverpool for the player's signature. However, Zavaglia is confident an agreement will be reached.
"Juventus should have paid £16m for the buy-out clause but I don't think there will be any problems regarding the financial aspects. I believe within the next week everything will be resolved."
Andrea Pirlo has officially signed for Juventus. The club came to an agreement with the midfielder from Brescia. The contract will be valid from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2014. Pirlo spent he whole day in Torino and this morning underwent the usual medial check-up at Fornaca di Sessant clinic, Isokinetic centre and Sports Medicine Centre.
Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed Juventus' interest in signing Carlos Tevez from Manchester City and Neymar of Santos; the Old Lady’s transfer supremo also confirmed Chelsea's 'concrete' offer for the in-demand Brazilian teenager.
Tevez, 27, is reportedly being chased by a long list of European clubs. He was recently seen in Milan, leading to suggestions he was on Inter's radar.
However, Juve are also looking, but a definite move is not assured at this stage says Marotta who was also asked about Santos ace Neymar.
"They [Tevez and Neymar] are two excellent players who we would like to have, but every team around the world wants them," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"Apart from the fascinating aspect, these are economic operations which are not easy. Plus, we know Chelsea have made a concrete move for Neymar."
The Old Lady has other interests in the Premier League - mainly Alberto Aquilani. The Italian midfielder is on loan at the Serie A side, but owned by Liverpool.
"We have an excellent relationship with Liverpool. We think we can find an agreement," he added.
He [Aquilani] is a great player and there is a right to buy, not obligation, which is high. We want to optimise a deal. We will meet them to reach a conclusion."
Closer to home Alessandro Del Piero seems on course to pen a new deal as his terms expire in June.
"I will stick to the facts. [President Andrea] Agnelli has talked to him and they have found an agreement. We just need to sign the paperwork," he concluded.
TORINO All'ostinata ricerca di piedi buoni, per «una Juve di qualità» è il comandamento, già dalla prossima settimana l'ad Beppe Marotta proverà ad assicurarsi tra i migliori sul mercato, quelli di Andrea Pirlo. Da un pezzo li ha messi in vetrina il Milan, gratis per scadenza di contratto, e finora senza spedire al proprio centrocampista alcuna proposta per il futuro. Lo farà Marotta, che ha in menù un incontro con Tullio Tinti, procuratore del milanista: quello della prossima settimana non è appuntamento per il rogito, ma per una reale proposta d'intenti sì. Di pari passo, si lavorerà al riscatto di Alberto Aquilani, cercando di abbassare la cifra inizialmente scritta dal Liverpool, 16 milioni di euro.
Uno non esclude l'altro, però, perché la Juve vuol camminare nella stagione che verrà con piedi felpati. Per diverse variabili, dallo stipendio all'età, 32 anni a maggio, fino alla prevedibile concorrenza, l'affare Pirlo s'è annunciato da subito complicato, e proprio per questo la Juve vuol imbastire la trattativa con largo anticipo. Cosa che non pare assillare il Milan: «Ne parleremo a tempo debito - aveva detto il vicepresidente rossonero Adriano Galliani riferendosi ai giocatori in scadenza - cioè soltanto a scudetto matematico o con la finale di Coppa Italia acquisita. Ho valutato tante opzioni e questa è la soluzione migliore».
Sembra non sia particolarmente piaciuta a Pirlo, al quale non è arrivata alcuna offerta. Così l'orizzonte del futuro s'è di molto allargato: senza una proposta dell'attuale casata, dove resterebbe anche volentieri, il regista prenderà in considerazione qualsiasi avance. Compresa quella juventina. Materia dei colloqui sarà soprattutto l'ingaggio, che ora viaggia attorno ai cinque milioni di euro, lievitabili a sette con tutti i premi e i bonus. Somma che il club rossonero mai riproporrà (anzi, medita di dimezzarla), e difficilmente lo farà quello bianconero: bisognerà allora vedere chi limerà meno la retribuzione, in quattrini e anni di contratto. Come base d'asta, la Juve pensa a un biennale con opzione per il terzo anno, e stipendio fino ai 4 milioni. Del resto, nulla verrebbe pagato per il cartellino. Visti i problemi muscolari di questa stagione, Marotta e il coordinatore dell'area tecnica Fabio Paratici dovranno ben valutare anche le condizioni fisiche.
Di certo l'usura negli ultimi dieci anni milanisti è stata notevole, con spesso più di 50 partite all'anno, Nazionale compresa: l'impressione però è che, dosando l'impegno, Pirlo possa ancora essere uno dei migliori del mondo, nel ramo. Oltre all'esperienza che porterebbe, in un club in ricostruzione: 2 Champions League, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 scudetto (per ora), 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 2 Supercoppe Europee, 1 Mondiale per club e uno con l'Italia. Un discreto spot. Nel frattempo, la Juve sta frugando anche nel reparto portieri, visto che uno tra Buffon e Storari partirà: l'ultimo indiziato è Grzegorz Sandomierski, ventunenne talento di un metro e 96 del Jagiellonia Bialystok e della nazionale polacca. Valutazione, 1,2 milioni: ci si penserà.
Juventus are trying to negotiate the permanent signing of Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool, but they want a significant discount.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims dialogue has been opened between the two clubs as they attempt to resolve Aquilani's future following his loan move to Italy last summer.
The 26-year-old's current terms expire in June, and while there have been suggestions over a stay in Serie A, the sticking point surrounds his price.
Liverpool want around €16 million for him, but the Bianconeri are only willing to stretch to €12m as they try to bargain on the option they have to sign him as part of the loan agreement.
But that's not all that stands in their way, as the former Roma midfielder would have to reduce his earnings too, which currently amount to €3.5m per annum.
Aquilani has scored twice in 27 games this season for Juve, who are currently seventh in Serie A and take on Genoa at the Olimpico this weekend.
I Bianconeri have recently been linked with a move for Milan's Andrea Pirlo should Aquilani return to Anfield.
Juventus midfielder Alberto Aquilani says he is focused on doing well for the Bianconeri rather than his future with the Turin club.
The 26-year-old signed a season-long loan from Liverpool, but there has been recent discussion suggesting the midfielder may return to the Reds, as the Bianconeri refuse to meet the €16 million fee wanted by the English club.
Aquilani has been in good form, and has been rewarded with a recall to the Italy national team, recently playing against Slovenia and Ukraine.
"I have been playing well for a while," he told the club's official website. "The performances of the individual have been overshadowed by the club's results.
"But this Juventus side is maturing and getting better.
"I will know my future soon. For the moment, I aim to finish the season off well and will be giving it my all, as Juventus has given me a chance to return to Italy and regain the Azzurri jersey," he concluded.
Juventus currently sit in seventh position on 48 points.
Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo appears to be one step closer to leaving the Rossoneri for domestic rivals Juventus in the summer transfer window as the Serie A table toppers have told him that they won't meet his financial demands, La Stampa reports.
The Italy international has an expiring contract and is continually being linked with a move away from San Siro. Pirlo is keen to stay put, but only if Milan offer him a new deal worth €5 million per year.
However, the Rossoneri have now refused to meet the playmaker's hefty financial demands and this hasn't gone unnoticed at Juventus.
La Vecchia Signora consider the midfielder to be the perfect addition to their squad and have already approached the 32-year-old to discuss a possible transfer.
Juventus are reportedly ready to meet Pirlo's demands, but the former Inter man's physical problems could scupper an eventual deal. He has missed much of this season with a succession of injuries.
According to the agent of Alberto Aquilani, if Juventus fail to meet Liverpool's asking price for the midfielder, he will return to Merseyside in the summer.
Aquilani is currently on loan from Liverpool in Turin and recent reports have suggested that Juventus are unwilling to cough up the €16 million which would secure the player's permanent rights, as agreed by the two clubs last summer.
And the player's agent, Franco Zavaglia, has reiterated that both clubs know the fee needed to own the rights of Aquilani, it's simply a question of whether the Bianconeri want to pay up. If not, he will likely be a Liverpool player again next season.
"The clubs reached an agreement some time ago. But if Juventus won't buy him, Alberto will return to England despite having a great desire to play in Italy. I don't think any other Italian club will consider the possibility of buying him," Zavaglia told Radiomercato.com.
Liverpool bought the Italy international from Roma in 2009 for €25m, but after an injury-hit stint in England, he was loaned to Juventus last summer and has become a regular in the Old Lady's starting line-up.
Juventus are paying close attention to Andrea Pirlo's contract situation at Milan in the hope they can land him on a free deal in June.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Pirlo is a candidate to come in, and the doors may open further if Alberto Aquilani heads back to Liverpool.
Milan are yet to move on offering the Italian a new deal beyond June 2011, leaving Juventus with room to manoeuvre.
Aquilani's permanent stay will cost Juve €16 million - deemed lofty in Turin, especillay if they can have Pirlo, who can occupy a similar role, for free.
Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia has already made it clear his client won't hang around if Juve struggle to pay up.
Next on the list is Inter-owned Santon. He is on loan at Cesena, but expected to return at the end of term.
Inter like Mohamed Sissoko, and could be willing to offer the 21-year-old as part of a transfer scheme.
The agent of Juventus midfielder Alberto Aquilani has confirmed his client will not be making a surprise return to former club Roma over the summer transfer window.
Franco Zavaglia says only the Bianconeri have the possibility of signing the Italian international by 30 June 2011.
Aquilani is currently on a season-long loan from English side Liverpool, with the Reds asking €16 million for the 26-year-old.
"Let us not joke around, as the situation is laughable," Zavaglia stated to TuttoJuve.com in an interview. "There is no possibility Alberto will return to Roma. It is a fantasy.
"There is only one truth: Juventus has the possibilty to sign him by 30 June 2011. Liverpool has set a €16m price and Juventus has not got much choice.
"It either signs him, or he will return to England. I do not intend to comment any further on the situation, as there is nothing concrete about the rumours," he concluded.
Liverpool bought the Azzurri international from the Giallorossi in 2009 for €25m, but after an injury-hit stint in England, he was loaned to Juventus last summer and has become a regular in the Old Lady's starting line-up.
Juventus midfielder Alberto Aquilani is confident that he will remain at the club beyond the summer.
The Italian playmaker is on loan at the Turin giants until the end of the season from Liverpool, but Juve have an option to buy should they wish to do so.
Aquilani joined the Reds in the summer of 2009 as a direct replacement for Xabi Alonso for a fee believed to be over £20million, but failed to make an appearance for the club until November due to injury.
Despite feeling his way back into the first team and delivering some good performances towards the back end of last season, Aquilani was allowed by former boss Roy Hodgson to return to his homeland after just one year.
Consistency
Liverpool are looking to make £16million back for the 26-year-old, and he was eager to extend his stay with the Bianconeri and find some consistency after several years of injury problems.
"I came here to find continuity after years in which I didn't play a lot," he told Sky Italia.
"I arrived here on loan, also risking something. The sum to sign me permanently is high, but I'm tranquil."
Juventus may use Amauri in a number of ways to solve future deals with Liverpool, according to Tuttosport.
The 30-year-old Brazilian has struggled for form and fitness this season, leaving Juventus with little option but to consider the possibility of him leaving.
Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici have their eyes on a number of Liverpool players, and could use Amauri as a convincer when it comes to business.
Roy Hodgson's men are said to be keen on the forward and have been for some time, but his €3.8 million wages could see the move come unstuck.
Juve, though, are willing to follow through and push negotiations forward as they are keen to keep Alberto Aquilani at the end of term.
Reds chiefs want around €16m for the full rights to the Italian, but Marotta is hoping to lower that fee by inserting Amauri into a possible deal.
On the other hand, Juve have their eyes on Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Ryan Babel, and could use Amauri if talks take off.
Alberto Aquilani has hailed the impact made by Gigi del Neri on Juventus this season.
The Italy international midfielder has rediscovered his best form after an injury-plagued couple of years in Rome and Liverpool.
Aquilani said: “I wished to return to Italy and find Serie A again. Juventus have given me that chance. I would like to repay their faith.
“I feel fine. The injuries are behind me. I went through difficult times, but with work and the help of those who love me, I have overcome them.
“I have found a system of play again that foresees two central midfielders: if one of us participates in attack, the other must stay back so as not to unbalance the team.
“At Liverpool I often came to be used at the tip of a midfield diamond behind the strikers.
“Del Neri insists a lot on the concept of the group. We all work together to get the maximum while looking to put our individuality to one side.”
Juventus sporting director Beppe Marotta has confirmed the club's intentions to try and sign on-loan Alberto Aquilani on a permanent deal.
Aquilani joined Juve in the summer in a season-long loan after failing to make any impact during his season with Liverpool in the Premier League. After impressing on his return to Italy, Aquilani could be rewarded with a long-term deal with Juve.
When asked about the possibility of buying Aquilani from Liverpool, Marotta told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “From our side there is the complete resolve to do this. He's doing better than expected. But we have time, until June next year to do this.
“In January we will try to strengthen the team, always in the context of our business plan.”
The 26-year-old midfielder started his career with hometown club Roma, before Liverpool splashed out €20 million on him. His solitary season in England was hampered by injuries and poor form, but Aquilani has recaptured his previous form at Juve.
Alberto Aquilani is happy to remain at Juventus having made an exceptional start to life back in Italy, according to his agent.
Aquilani, who spent a seven-year spell with AS Roma, joined the Bianconeri from Liverpool in the summer with the option of making the move a permanent one at the season's end.
After recapturing some of his best form in the first nine matches of the Italian season, the midfielder is more than happy to remain at Juventus, according to his agent Franco Zavaglia.
"Aquilani is doing very well, which is clear to everybody," his agent told tuttosport. "At the moment Juventus have not made a move to sign the player from Liverpool. To date, Juventus haven't shown anything on this front, but it is still too early to talk about these things.
"Alberto is happy in Turin and his coach [Luigi Delneri] is happy with the impact Alberto has made at Juventus".
The agent of Juventus midfielder Alberto Aquilani believes his client will only speak about a permanent move to the Bianconeri in March or April.
Franco Zavaglia admits Aquilani was not a bad choice when he joined the Turin giants on loan late in the transfer window.
"We will only speak with management in the Spring: March or April, and not any time prior" Zavaglia told TuttoJuve.com. "He is playing well, and as long as he does this, Liverpool will not be giving us a discount.
"I had told the press he was not a waste. Everyone has now realised how good a player he is.
"He has the ability to change a team, and am pleased not only for scoring, but also because of how he is playing. I also thank [Juventus coach Luigi] Del Neri for the words he spoke about Aquilani, which have given him motivation."
Zavaglia is also pleased that the former Roma midfielder is also in consideration for a national team call-up.
"It is certainly an objective, but an Italian national team jersey is only awarded after continuity," he concluded.
On the weekend where the crisis of England’s most successful club went from bad to worse with yet another defeat to Everton in the Merseyside Derby, a result that sees Liverpool floundering in the relegation zone, out-on-loan Reds midfielder Alberto Aquilani poured yet more salt into an already sore wound with an indomitable performance for an increasingly improving Juventus side.
While there is no doubt that Liverpool erred in splashing out €20 million on a player who has had more injuries than a Nigel De Jong torture victim, especially as he was signed as Xabi Alonso’s replacement, all this talk of the 26-year-old being an unmitigated ‘flop’ is rather, well, premfaced. Not only did Aquilani play very well in virtually all of his admittedly low number of 26 games for Liverpool last season, more importantly the 2007 Champions League finalists are crying out for a commanding midfielder of his ilk just now.
Juventus were already laughing all the way to the bank when they managed to sell the worst player to represent the Bianconeri for at least a decade – Christian Poulsen – to Liverpool for €5.5m, their merriment increased even further when they were handed Aquilani on loan in return, with the option to buy him permanently. In the space of a few months Liverpool have gone from a midfield of Mascherano-Aquilani-Gerrard to one including Poulsen, the equally awful Lucas and Raul Meireles. No wonder they are in the relegation zone.
The Roman has gradually been implemented into the Juventus starting XI, and the last few weeks has demonstrated that if he can stay fit he will be a top-class – potentially world class – midfielder for the Old Lady. He confirmed his impressive showing against Inter a fortnight ago with another super display in the 4-0 thrashing of Lecce yesterday afternoon. Aquilani opened the scoring with a 25-yard thunderbolt, and controlled the middle-of-the-park alongside fellow reborn team-mate Felipe Melo.
The Brazilian had an horrific first season in Turin last term, following his big-money move from Fiorentina where he had been the best midfielder in Serie A in 2008/09, but Luigi Del Neri has rediscovered the 27-year-old. Melo tucked away the non-existent penalty Juve were awarded yesterday with an impudent ‘Panenka’ chip down the middle of the goal, an execution that symbolised his form and confidence. As well as his renowned defensive work, Melo was even surprisingly spraying 50-yard Michel Platini raking-passes around the pitch.
With Milos Krasic once again unstoppable on the right flank, and centre-back duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci blossoming to earn a second clean sheet in a row, there is no doubt that Juventus are growing in stature. Finally, the Bianconeri have a recognisable system and style of play.
It is unlikely that the Old Lady will challenge for the Scudetto this season. There are still far too many weaknesses such as the full back positions, the left midfield role, and the absence of a top-class forward. But, if Juve maintain their current form then a top four spot at least should be a guarantee. And that will enable them to fill these holes with Edin Dzeko-calibre stars and really challenge for major honours from 2011/12.
Just like Liverpool now, Juventus recently hit rock bottom both on-and-off-the-pitch. But the signs are there, with a new president who shares his grandfather’s values, a new stadium on the way, a ‘new’ group of promising players such as Aquilani, Melo, Krasic and Bonucci, and a new, clear system, that Italy’s most successful team are on the road to success again sooner rather than later.
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