JUVENTUS PREPARE TO SELL GIOVINCO TO PREMIER LEAGUE

Monday, 15 September 2014

Premier League interest is arriving for Juventus attacker Sebastian Giovinco.

The midfielder's current deal expires in June and he is free to discuss a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January 1.

Tuttosport says Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri rates youngster Kingsley Coman ahead of Giovinco and cannot guarantee a place for the Italian in his first team plans.

Juve are aware of interest from England, but want to secure Giovinco to a new deal to strengthen their hand in negotiations.

The likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea have been linked with Giovinco in the past.

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AC MILAN PRESIDENT BERLUSCONI CALLED MENEZ AFTER OUTRAGEOUS GOAL

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi made a call to Jeremy Menez after victory over Parma.

Menez struck twice in the 5-4 thriller, including one wonder goal from an outrageous flick.

Berlusconi was delighted with the victory and phoned Menez after the game to congratulate the Frenchman on his performance and superb goal.

Milan, under rookie coach Pippo Inzaghi, now sit top of the table with a 100 per cent record.

The Rossoneri meet champions Juventus next week.

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MAURO ICARDI HAPPY WITH HAT-TRICK IN FRONT OF INTER MILAN HOME FANS

Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi was delighted with his hat-trick in victory over Sassuolo.

Inter thumped the minnows 7-0.

"My first hat-trick for Inter, it's a good thing because we were playing at home," said Icardi.

"Mazzarri no longer defence-minded? We played well, unlocking the result immediately."

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ADIL RAMI FRUSTRATED WITH AC MILAN BENCHING

Adil Rami was happy to be part of AC Milan's 5-4 win over Parma.

The French defender started the match on the bench.

"It's important to have won the three points, we are first in the standings and we're going to play against Juventus next weekend.

"We conceded four goals against a strange Ducali, but remained decisive to win and to gain new confidence.

"I do not feel a bench player, but I think I must prove I have confidence in my ability. I have proved I can play from the beginning, the final decision rests with (Pippo) Inzaghi.

"I'll respect the choices of the coach."

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JUVENTUS GM MAROTTA DEFENDS THEIR HANDLING OF SASSUOLO STAR SIMONE ZAZA

Juventus GM Beppe Marotta has defended their handling of Simone Zaza.

Juve have given up all rights on the Sassuolo striker, who was a star for Antonio Conte's Italy last week.

Marotta explained: "We have not given up completely on Zaza, I would say that we were the ones who discovered him. It is clear then that in this squad there can be up to ten attackers.

"We have taken this opportunity to let him join Sassuolo, a firm friend with whom we work, and if the player is placed on the market, we have achieved a moral right of option and we would the first to be able to haggle."

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CUADRADO REVEALS FIORENTINA CONTRACT TALKS

Juan Cuadrado has revealed he's in new contract talks with Fiorentina.

The Colombia wing-back was linked with Barcelona and Manchester United over the summer.

"The summer market? I was calm about it. I feel good with my teammates,” he said.

“The contract renewal? I don't like talking about this now. There is my agent for this.

“There will be a meeting with the club and I think we will find an agreement.”

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ROMA CHIEF SABATINI DISCUSSES BENATIA SALE TO BAYERN MUNICH AFTER PALLOTTA BLAST

AS Roma chief Walter Sabatini has explained the sale of Mehdi Benatia toBayern Munich.

Roma president James Pallotta slammed the Moroccan last week.

“Bayern Munich have asked us to put an end to this public palaver, they do not want any further statements,” Sabatini said.

“I would like to return a portion of truth to this story. Benatia had good conditions but then he slipped. When I looked to him in May of last year, he had an offer from another Italian team, but he accepted our lower offer.

“In January he received external approaches and came to me saying that he wanted to stay in Rome under certain conditions and that if they were not realised then he would feel offended.

“He wanted €5m-per-season for five years. We could not give him the money but we adjusted the contract to compensate for what he had lost economically in choosing us.

“He asked for a salary that we could not give him and we had to sell him. I talked of a €61m price-tag referring to what he had done, dictated by what he had become at Roma.

“We sold Benatia because he no longer had the strength or desire to continue with us. Now it is over and there is nothing else to say.”

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EX-MAN CITY BOSS MANCINI PUTS HAND UP FOR PORTUGAL JOB

Former Inter Milan and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is keen on the Portugal job.

Portugal are seeking a new coach after sacking Paulo Bento last week.

“I am still a young Coach with a long career in front of me and a lot to learn,” Mancini told Record.

“I like to experience different adventures. I’ve already worked in England and Turkey, while returning to Italy is an option, but I prefer to try new things.

“Would I go to Portugal? Of course. You know more than me that Portugal has always boasted high quality football full of class and talent, producing some of the best players in the world. The Portuguese clubs have also impressed in Europe.

“Would I be the Portugal Coach? It would be fantastic, because they are one of the most talented sides in European football and any Coach would love that job.

“If Portugal were to ask? It would be an honour.”

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SAMPDORIA STRIKER OKAKA CALLS ON BALOTELLI TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: STOP BLAMING OTHERS

Sampdoria striker Stefano Okaka has taken a dig at Liverpool signing Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli left AC Milan last month for Liverpool.

“Is the fact Balotelli left Serie A for England a failure for our football? No, if anything he is the one who failed,” ex-Fulham forward Okaka told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Does he think great champions were never under pressure? When Ibrahimovic was in Italy, he scored 30 goals per season.

“He mustn’t keep looking to blame others. Mario is a great player, but if he had problems in Italy then half the responsibility is his.

“At times in life you need to stop and look inside yourself. The fact remains he is a great player and this new English experience might help him rediscover the hunger he once had.”

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POGBA CONFIRMS NEW CONTRACT TALKS WITH JUVENTUS

Paul Pogba has confirmed he's in contract talks with Juventus.

The midfielder's current deal runs to 2016.

"We are in negotiations for a contract renewal with Juventus,” Pogba toldTF1.

“I will soon have a meeting with the directors.”

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REVEALED: INTER MILAN BOSS MAZZARRI SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY BEFORE SASSUOLO THUMPING

Inter Milan boss Walter Mazzarri picked up an injury before yesterday's 7-0 rout of Sassuolo.

On Saturday, Mazzarri slipped on the locker room stairs and fractured his hand.

He said afterwards: “My hand is fine, thank you.

“I have to be careful that waving my arms around with this cast I don’t break the other one too!”

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INTER MILAN BOSS MAZZARRI HAILS KOVACIC INFLUENCE ON 7-0 SASSUOLO THRASHING

Inter Milan boss Walter Mazzarri was full of praise for Mateo Kovacic after their 7-0 rout of Sassuolo.

Kovacic scored a goal and provided several assists in the victory.

Mazzarri said: “For a while now he has understood how to play in Italian football, so he defends and attacks when needed, covering runs and going to get the ball, pressuring opponents.

“(Gary) Medel was also fantastic today and to attack with six players we need someone like him to protect the defence. He provides balance."

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