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Serie A Season 2011/2012

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Filippo Inzaghi

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Filippo Inzaghi

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Inter to keep 2006 scudetto - federation

By Richard Allen
20:10 BST, Mon 18 Jul 2011

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ROME, July 18 (Reuters) - Inter Milan were confirmed as 2006 Serie A champions on Monday after Italy's football federation (FIGC) said it did not have the authority to revoke the decision which stripped Juventus of the title.

Juventus had called for the scudetto (title) to be revoked following allegations of involvement by Inter in the "calciopoli" corruption scandal.

The Turin team won the scudetto in 2004/05 and 2005/06 but were stripped of the titles for their involvement in the scandal and demoted to Serie B, with the latter championship handed to Inter.

"The federal council (executive committee) has turned down Juventus' petition regarding the 2006 scudetto with a declaration that it is not competent to revoke it," said the FIGC in a statement.

The FIGC explained the decision by saying that Juventus had been penalised by a disciplinary board which it did not have the power to overrule.

The decision was widely expected, coming after FIGC lawyers decided this month not to pursue Juventus's claims on the grounds that any potential charges had expired under the sporting statute of limitations.

"I would have wished for Inter to have renounced the statute of limitations," FIGC president Giancarlo Abete told reporters.

Juventus demanded the 2006 title be taken away from Inter last May after a Napoli court investigating the case heard evidence of attempts involving Inter to influence the selection of referees.

Juventus threatened to take their cause elsewhere, stating the ruling was "a long way from re-establishing fairness".

"The club has given the go ahead for its lawyers to explore the best means of proceeding in international and administrative law," the club said in a statement.

"At the same time the management and its lawyers are evaluating the economical damages such behaviour has caused."

RULES RESPECTED

Abete, who led the FIGC executive committee in voting 20 to one against revoking Inter's title with two abstentions, said Juventus were free to take their case to other bodies.

"I don't believe taking it to the courts would be the best choice but I'd respect the decision," said Abete. "The credibility of the system is tied to respect for the rules."

Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina were also docked points for influencing the appointment of favoured referees in the scandal.

In May, a Napoli court ruled that Luciano Moggi, Juventus' former general manager who had been at the centre of the 2006 scandal, should face five years and eight months in jail if found guilty of corruption.

Moggi was banned for life by the FIGC last month.

Since "calciopoli" broke, Juventus, Italy's best supported club with a record 27 titles have failed to hit their previous heights, finishing outside the European places in seventh position last season.

Inter, meanwhile, have entered another golden age, winning four more titles since 2006 along with last year's Champions League and Club World championship.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Chile's Vidal says to sign for Juventus

08:12 BST, Thu 21 Jul 2011

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SANTIAGO, July 21 (Reuters) - Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal has confirmed that he is to join Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen.

Vidal, 24, told reporters at Santiago airport that he was flying to Italy to finalise the deal.

"I'm happy, it's a big and important step for my career at one of the biggest clubs in Europe," said Vidal, a versatile midfielder who combines tenacity with skill and has spent four seasons at Leverkusen.

"I'm very content about this new opportunity that I'm being given. It's a new team which is being built with the aim of being champions and qualifying for international competitions."

Vidal had also been targeted by Bayern Munich but Leverkusen, who finished second in the Bundesliga last season, did not want to sell him to their close rivals.

"My experience in Germany will be useful to me in Italy, because tactically it's a similar kind of football," said Vidal.

Juventus finished a disappointing seventh in Serie A last season and missed out on European competition.

They have since replaced coach Luigi Del Neri with former midfielder Antonio Conte and last month splashed out 37 million euros to make four players -- Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella, Simone Pepe and Marco Motta -- permanent signings.

The club has also been linked with Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi and Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.

Vidal began his career with Colo Colo and helped Chile reach the semi-finals of the under-20 world championship in 2007. He played in the Chile team which reached the second round at last year's World Cup.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Thursday 21st July 2011

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AC Milan deny Fiorentina swoop


AC Milan are not interested in signing Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo or Santos midfielder Ganso, according to vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Both players have been strongly linked with a move to the San Siro but Galliani insists the media reports are wide of the mark.

"There are no negotiations in place to sign Montolivo," Galliani told www.acmilan.com.

"Milan does have a vacant place for a non-European player but it's not Ganso."

Nevertheless, Galliani has not ruled out acquiring a midfielder before the transfer window closes, following the departure of Andrea Pirlo to Juventus last month.

"If another player was to arrive it would be a midfielder," said Galliani.

"However, I believe that Pirlo can be replaced by a player that we already have in our squad.

"Right now we are happy with what we have and the team is 99% complete.

"If a player was to arrive, one of our players would have to leave."

The Rossoneri, who won the Scudetto last season, have not made a big splash in the transfer market this summer, with Philippe Mexes, Taye Taywo and Stephan El Shaarawy their only new.



 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Friday 22nd July 2011

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Report: Lucio to pen new Inter deal


Inter defender Lucio has ended speculation on his future by agreeing to sign a new deal at the club, according to reports.

Lucio only has one more year left on his current contract and reports from Brazil claim the former Bayern Munich star has penned an extension which will see tied to the club until 2014.

Spanish club Malaga were thought to be in the frame for the defender's signature while United Arab Emirates outfit Al-Ahli were also considering a surprise swoop for the player.

With Fabio Canavaro announcing his retirement from football last month due to a serious knee injury, Al-Ahli reportedly had earmarked Lucio as their primary candidate

Lucio joined Inter from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2009 and played an integral role in their historic treble-winning 2009-10 campaign, in which they won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.

He is expected to fly back to Milan in two weeks' time following Brazil's elimination from the Copa America at the quarter-final stage.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Friday 22nd July 2011

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Genoa open talks with Gilardino


Genoa have emerged as a suitor for Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino, according to reports.

Interest in the Italy international has been on the rise following his criticism of Fiorentina for what he believes is a lack of ambition shown by the club.

Gilardino has a contract with Fiorentina until 2013 and Sky Sport 24 claims Genoa have made contact over a pontential deal.

Genoa see the experienced forward as an ideal replacement for Robert Acquafresca after he move to Bologna on loan.

However, Gilardino admitted earlier in the month that a move abroad would appeal to him if he cannot achieve what he wants with Fiorentina.

He told Sky Sport Italia: "I would like to stay in Florence, but there are some things to review, such as the contract.

"We have to talk to the club, because I'm worth a substantial figure. I love Florence, but there are some things to evaluate.

"If I leave Fiorentina, I would prefer to stay in Italy. But in future I would like an experience abroad, perhaps in Spain or England."

Gilardino joined Fiorentina from AC Milan in 2008.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Saturday 23rd July 2011

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Roma land Heinze on free transfer


Roma owner Thomas DiBenedetto's ambitious plans have continued with the signing of experienced defender Gabriel Heinze on a free transfer.


DiBenedetto, who took over Roma earlier in the year, has vowed to replicate the club's Scudetto-winning campaign of 2001 by any means possible.

Already, the club's board has appointed Spain legend Luis Enrique as their new coach, and his arrival has already seen Roma land the talented Spanish duo of Bojan and Jose Angel from Barcelona and Sporting Gijon respectively.

Their transfers have been regarded as significant coups for the Giallorossi given their youth, and while Bojan has an established pedigree after graduating from Barca's fame La Masia academy, Jose Angel is also regarded as one of Spain's hottest prospects, and was even targeted by the Catalan outfit earlier this summer.

However, Enrique has evidently been looking to add some experience and steel to his defence, and on Friday night, the club confirmed the signing of Heinze on a free transfer.

The Argentinean international was last on the books of Marseille, but had decided not to renew his contract at the Stade Velodrome at the end of last season, and was thus available for no fee whatsoever.

Heinze brings along with him a wealth of experience, having played for a host of top European sides including the likes of PSG, Manchester United and Real Madrid.


 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Saturday 23rd July 2011

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Napoli boss hopeful of keeping trio


Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is confident stellar trio Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi will remain at the club next season.



The three players have been linked with a move away from Naples this summer.

Hamsik is a reported target of AC Milan while Lavezzi and Cavani have attracted the attention of Premier League clubs.

"From what I know, all three will stay at the club," said Mazzarri to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"They are all willing to start the season with the Napoli colours."

Napoli finished third in Serie A last term and will play in the Champions League next season.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Saturday 23rd July 2011

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Juventus win race for Arturo Vidal


Juventus have pipped the likes of Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Inter Milan to the signature of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Arturo Vidal.


Vidal has maintained his desire to leave the BayArena all summer long, although Leverkusen were initially adamant they would rather keep him for another season - and risk letting him leave on a free once his contract expired - than allow him to leave.

Bayern were initially favourites to land the highly-rated defensive midfielder, but Leverkusen made it blatant they were not willing to let him leave for a German Bundesliga rival.

And it has now been revealed that both player and club have got their way, as Juventus has confirmed they will be taking Vidal to Italy, after agreeing terms with Leverkusen.

A statement released by the club reveals that €10.5million will be paid upfront to Leverkusen, with a further €2.5m to be potentially added on based on performances.

The 24-year-old passed a medical on Friday, and will meet up with his new team-mates in August, according to UEFA.com.

Vidal is new Juventus coach Antonio Conte's fifth summer signing, following the likes of Stephen Lichtsteiner, Reto Ziegler, Andrea Pirlo and Michele Pazienza.

Having been promised a significant transfer budget after taking over the helm at the end of last season, Conte has already made significant inroads in his rebuilding plans as he looks to return the Bianconeri to the pinnacle of Italian football.

On the same day it was announced that Vidal's move had been completed, Juventus also confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo would be joining Turkish giants Galatasaray on a year-long loan deal, which can be made permanent for a fee of €13m.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Tuesday 26th July 2011

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Report: Roma agree Stekelenburg fee

Roma have agreed to pay Ajax €6 million to secure the transfer of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, according to reports.

According to Sky Sport 24, the Italian outfit's new manager Luis Enrique sees the Dutch international as his number one keeper for next season and Stekelenburg is expected to pen a four-year deal on Tuesday.

The report claims Stekelenburg will earn €1million per season while his transfer also includes €1million in the form of bonuses.

Roma will have to pay Ajax the bonus fee should the Serie A side qualify for the Champions League while the 28-year-old's contract is running.

The news comes hot on the heels of goalkeeper Alexander Doni's switch from the Italian capital to Liverpool.

The 31-year-old Brazilian joined on a free transfer after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

Doni, who holds an Italian passport, joined Roma in 2005 from Brazilians Juventude and spent six seasons with the Giallorossi, winning the Coppa Italia in 2007 and 2008.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Tuesday 26th July 2011

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Gasperini pleased with Inter start

New Inter Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed he is pleased with the start to his stint in charge of the Serie A giants.


The reigning Coppa Italia champions, who were pipped to the Serie A crown by arch-rivals AC Milan last season,

After three comfortable victories to open their pre-season campaign - albeit against lower league opposition - Inter were brought back down to earth with a 0-0 draw against Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Nonetheless, Gasperini believes there were positives to be taken out of the match, considering Galatasaray were a significant step-up in quality as compared to their previous opponents Trentino, Mezzocorona and Cremonese.

"This was a real match and away from home at that," Gasperini was quoted as saying on Inter's official website. "It was a great step forward regarding rhythm and match atmosphere.

"We did some things that needed to be done and we still have others to see to. "We did what we had prepared in bursts and we need match practice and experience to put right what was missing."

One player to have caught the new Inter coach's eye in pre-season so far is young Nigerian midfielder John Obi, whom Gasperini believes could play an important role this season.

"He's a young lad and he's very interesting.
"When he tidies up his game, he'll be even more useful."

Inter next face off against Celtic and Manchester City in the Dublin Super Cup, before locking horns with Milan and Juventus for the TIM Trophy.

The Italian football campaign starts proper on August 6 when Inter will face off against Milan in Beijing for the Supercoppa Italiana.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

Guest

Tuesday 26th July 2011

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Udinese, Atlanta under FIGC probe

Representatives of two Serie A clubs were called to appear before a committee investigating renewed claims of match-fixing in Italian football on Tuesday.

Udinese and Atalanta are among 18 clubs set to face the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) sporting prosecutor following an investigation undertaken by the public prosecutor of Cremona.

Three Serie B teams - Ascoli, Hellas Verona and Sassuolo - 11 Pro League teams - Alexandria, Cremonese, Benevento, Ravenna, Virtus Entella, Piacenza, Esperia Viareggio, Portogruaro, Taranto, Spezia and Reggiana - and two amateur sides - Cus Chieti and Pino Di Matteo - will also be called before the prosecutor at the hearings starting early next month.

The FIGC confirmed that 26 individuals implicated in the investigation - among them former Lazio and Italy star Giuseppe Signori and Atalanta's veteran midfielder Cristiano Doni - will also appear at the hearings.

The Italian authorities are so far believed to have identified 18 suspicious matches, including one Serie A encounter between Inter Milan and Lecce, and made a total of 16 arrests.

Last season's Serie B clash between Piacenza and Atalanta - who subsequently secured promotion to the top flight - has also come under scrutiny following reports of irregular betting patterns.

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Atalanta risks demotion and club captain Doni faces a three-year ban if the allegations are proven.

Signori, 43, was among those arrested on June 1 amid claims by prosecutors that the 16 had been involved in manipulating results of matches in Serie B and lower leagues.

Italian football was last gripped by match-fixing allegations in 2006, when the Calciopoli affair saw Juventus stripped of two Scudettos and relegated to Serie B after being found guilty of trying to influence referee selection.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Thursday 28th July 2011

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AC Milan begin away to Cagliari

AC Milan will begin the defence of their Serie A title away to Cagliari.

The Serie A fixtures were announced in staggered fashion on live television in Italy, with Milan, Roma, and Juventus all beginning away from home.

Roma travel to Bologna while Juve are at Udinese, meaning they must wait until the second weekend of the season to open their new stadium at home to Parma.

On the opening weekend, Inter Milan host Lecce while Lazio face Chievo. Napoli take on Genoa.

The games will be played on the weekend of August 27 and 28.

Milan's first home game will be against Lazio a week later.

The first Rome derby is on October 16 with Lazio the home team.


The opening Milan derby will be in the 18th round of fixtures on January 15 with AC the home team, and the reverse fixture will be just one week from the end of the season on May 6.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Thursday 28th July 2011

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Inter Milan: No United Sneijder bid

Inter Milan insist Manchester United have not made contact with them over Wesley Sneijder, but admitted that every player has his price.

The Dutchman has constantly being linked with the Old Trafford club despite Sir Alex Ferguson saying firstly he would not move for Sneijder, and then that any replacement for Paul Scholes would come from within his own squad.

But the speculation was rekindled this week as United chief executive David Gill revealed that club did want another player.

Also strongly linked with Roma's Mirko Vucinic in recent days, Sneijder remains the man catching the headlines when it comes to United.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia following the announcement of the Serie A fixtures for next season, Inter chief executive Ernesto Paolillo was quizzed about Sneijder's situation.

"Are Manchester United still after Sneijder? We haven't seen or heard from anyone; that's a story I've heard from you," he said.

"Is Wesley definitely not for sale? I don't think there's anything that can't be sold, it all depends on the price.

"You never say no if a big opportunity comes your way, but it does have to be a real opportunity."

He was also asked about Carlos Tevez, after their sporting director Marco Branca was pictured shaking hands with the Argentine.

"We can't stop him from coming to Milan or going to the same beaches as Branca, but we're not going there looking for him," he insisted.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

Guest

Thursday 28th July 2011

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Inter have €25m Lucas bid rejected

Sao Paulo have rejected an offer from Inter Milan for midfielder Lucas, according to the Brazilian club.

The 18-year-old midfielder - not to be confused with Brazil and Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva - has already played for Brazil at senior level and has been tipped for a bright future in the game.

Inter reportedly had a €25 million offer for the player rejected by Sao Paulo.

"Sao Paulo do not accept negotiating Lucas in any case," Sao Paulo vice-president Joao Lopes told Lancenet.

"We received offers for him as pure courtesy, we did not even consider them.

"The only way to get Lucas out of Sao Paulo is by paying his release clause.

We did not even read Inter's proposal, and have already informed them we are not accepting it."


Lucas is understood to have an €80 million release clause in his contract.


 
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Filippo Inzaghi

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Thursday 28th July 2011

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Napoli chief unhappy at fixture list

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claims the fixture schedule for the new season compromises their chances in the Champions League.

Film producer De Laurentiis had made a formal request to officials to go easy on his side in the opening weeks of the new season to help them make a strong start to their first Champions League campaign for 21 years.

But, instead, the calendar handed them a meeting with defending Italian champions AC Milan on matchday three, the weekend after their opening Champions League game, while they will play Inter Milan on matchday six.

Laurentiis was not amused and stormed out of the fixture announcement before hitching a lift on a moped to escape the chasing journalists. When he did speak, he made his views quite clear.

"I am ashamed of being Italian. I think I need to change country and citizenship," he said. "I asked that the teams playing in Europe were protected. Create a calendar specifically for teams that are involved in European competition.

"Otherwise Italian football will not recover and build a presence in Europe." Giancarlo Abete, the president of the Italian Football Federation, expressed an element of sympathy but conceded it was difficult to accommodate the wishes of each individual team.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "He expressed his disagreement with the calendar which on presentation is always a topic for discussion and debate.

"But it is never easy to meet the demands of everyone with so many variables. There are seven teams taking part in European competitions and it is never easy to meet all expectations in a calendar."

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

Guest

Sunday 31st July 2011
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Stekelenburg agrees terms with Roma

Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is one step closer to joining Roma after agreeing on a four-year deal with the Italian giants.

The Dutch international has been continually linked with a move out of Ajax, with the likes of Manchester United interested in him.

But with United snapping up Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea, the path for Roma to move in for the 28-year-old was opened.

"I am proud that I will sign a four-year deal with Roma. Everything about this club says football.

I haven't had time to visit the stadium yet, but I'm impressed with the training facilities," Stekelenburg said on the website of Sport-Promotion, the company of his agent Rob Jansen.

"I also spoke with [head coach] Luis Enrique about his plans with the club and that was a very pleasant conversation.

He also hopes that the clubs will soon reach an agreement, because this has all been taking too much time already."

Both clubs are expected to finalise the deal within 24 hours with Roma planning to present Stekelenburg to the press on Monday.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

Guest

Monday 1st August 2011
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AC Milan mourn death of Pazzagli

Former AC Milan goalkeeper Andrea Pazzagli has died aged 51 after suffering a stroke.

Pazzagli, who played under Arrigo Sacchi at Milan for two years and was an unused substitute when they won the 1990 European Cup, was on holiday in Tuscany when he was taken ill.

He had been employed as a youth goalkeeping coach with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) since 2001.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

Guest

Monday 1st August 2011
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Report: Vucinic set for Juventus

Roma attacker Mirko Vucinic is set to complete a move to Juventus, according to reports.

Tuttosport claims the Montenegro international landed in Turin on Sunday evening and will undergo a medical with the Piedmont outfit on Monday before signing a contract with his new club.

Vucinic has been strongly linked with a move away from Roma this summer after five years in the Italian capital.

Barclays Premier League sides Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers were among the clubs thought to be in the frame for the player's signature as well.

Vucinic's representative Alessandro Lucci even revealed that the Premier League champions had made contact with regards to an offer, but it appears Juve is his next destination.

The 27-year-old is in line to become Juventus' sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Arturo Vidal, Stephen Lichtsteiner, Reto Ziegler, Andrea Pirlo and Michele Pazienza.

 
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Filippo Inzaghi

Guest

Tuesday 2nd August 2011
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Juventus announce Vucinic capture

Mirko Vucinic will remain in Italy after joining Juventus from Roma in a deal worth 15 million euros.

The 27-year-old Montenegro striker, who had been a reported target for Tottenham, underwent a medical in Turin this morning before signing a four-year deal with the Bianconeri.

"Juventus Football Club announces that the agreement with AS Roma for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Mirko Vucinic has been finalised," a statement from the Turin club read.

"The contract envisages the payment by Juventus of 15 million euros in three years.

"Juventus and the player have signed a four-year contract of employment."

Vucinic has spent the past decade in Italy, after spending five years at both Roma and Lecce, during which time he has established himself as one of the most consistent strikers in Serie A.

The Montenegrin's arrival is also set to hasten talk of fellow forward Amauri's departure after he was not included in Juve's pre-season squad.

 
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