Latest Serie A News

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DZEKO EXPECTS TO JOIN MILAN

Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko expects to play for AC Milan next season.

The Bosnian, whose 26 goals last season inspired the Wolves to the Bundesliga title, has already informed his club he intends to move to the San Siro outfit.

"I recently spoke to Wolfsburg executives about it and they know that I would like a transfer next summer," Dzeko told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The story with AC Milan is not over."

Dzeko was strongly linked with the Rossoneri last summer but despite AC Milan holding talks with the Bundesliga side, Wolfsburg refused to sell their top player.

The 23-year-old, who also attracted interest from Manchester United, insists his dream is to play with the Serie A giants.

"Manchester (United) have also shown an interest?" he said. "I have been a fan of Milan since I was a child, when I watched their games on TV.

"It's for that reason that I really hope I can play next season there."

Dzeko is under contract with the German side until June 2013.




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MAICON SET TO PEN NEW INTER DEAL


Inter Milan defender Maicon is poised to sign a new deal with the club to end speculation over his future.

The Brazilian's time at the San Siro has been the subject of conjecture in recent months with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United all linked with the right-back.

However, Inter are close to tying down Maicon to a new long-term, according to the player's representative.

"It is practically a done deal," agent Antonio Caliendo told Calcio News 24.

"It is basically what we expected and Inter paid special attention to his needs."

Maicon is expected to sign a two-year contract extension to keep him with the Nerazzurri until 2014.



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MADRID WARNED OFF VARGAS


Fiorentina have warned Real Madrid they have no intention of selling left wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas.

The Peruvian international has been strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu next season.

"I have heard these rumours regarding Real Madrid's reported interest in Vargas and we acknowledge it and move on," said Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino.

"We are used to having players being linked to clubs.

"But we are here not to sell but to keep our players and improve our squad.

"We will only sell those who don't want to remain at the club and in that case, we will try to get the best possible deal."

Vargas is considered the new Roberto Carlos and has been a key player in Cesare Prandelli's squad since joining the Viola last year in a 12million euro transfer from Catania.

He is under contract with the Florence-based outfit until June 2012.



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AGENT: NO SPURS SWITCH FOR BAPTISTA


Julio Baptista's agent insists there is no truth in reports linking his client with a move to Tottenham.

The Brazil international has struggled to hold down first-team football at Roma this season, fuelling speculation of a potential switch elsewhere in January.

The 28-year-old forward has previous experience of life in England, having spent the 2006/07 campaign on loan at Arsenal.

Spurs were believed to be interested in Baptista over the summer and speculation regarding a switch to White Hart Lane has resurfaced ahead of the January transfer window.

The striker's agent has been quick to distance his client from such a move, though, insisting the former Sevilla and Real Madrid is willing to fight for a place at Roma.

"There is no truth in these reports claiming he is set for an exchange in January," Herminio Menendez told romannews.eu.

"Julio is currently away with the national side. Everything he has said points to a future in Rome."



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SAGNA GOING NOWHERE - AGENT

Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna's agent has stressed the France international is happy to stay at Emirates Stadium following renewed speculation of interest from Juventus.

Sagna has established himself as an influential figure for the Gunners after making over 100 appearances since his arrival from Auxerre in 2007.

He was linked with Real Madrid during the summer, while reports have recently suggested that Juventus have revived an interest in the 26-year-old.

However, while Sagna's agent Christophe Mongai has not ruled out a move to Italy in the future if the defender became unhappy at Arsenal, he insists there is no chance of an imminent transfer.

"Juventus have contacted us, but not recently and, in any case, they have never made an offer to Arsenal," Mongai told tuttomercatoweb.it.

"It's possible that Juventus has spoken directly with Arsenal, but nowadays the will of the player is decisive and he is fine in London and focused on his club and his national team.

"It is normal that a player like Sagna is linked with great clubs, for example Real Madrid last summer, but even if they made offers the player would not move.

"In football, you never know what the future may hold. If one day Sagna will become unhappy we might start looking around, and the Italian championship and Juventus, who admires him, could become a possibility.

"But this is not the right moment."



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NAPOLI: NO HAMSIK BLUES TALKS

Napoli have again moved to play down speculation linking their prized asset Marek Hamsik with a move to Chelsea.

The Blues are understood to be keen on the 22-year-old midfielder.

But Napoli are resolute in their stance over Hamsik, and insist they are not looking to sell - despite talk of Chelsea willing to pay upwards of £25milion.

"There's been no contact direct or otherwise with Chelsea for Marek," Napoli director of sport Riccardo Bigon told Sky Italia.

"Hamsik is untransferable for us, he is in the second year of a five-year plan started by our president."




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GATTUSO MAN CITY LINK REJECTED

Gennaro Gattuso's agent has played down talk linking the AC Milan midfielder with a move to Manchester City.

Reports emerging on Wednesday morning claimed big-spending City were lining up a January swoop for the Italy international.

Gattuso is reported to be unhappy at Milan under new coach Leonardo, with a suggestion City could offer him an escape route out of the San Siro.

However Gattuso's representative Andrea D'Amico insists he has not heard anything from City and that the 31-year-old has no problem at Milan.

"There is no truth in the Manchester City link," D'Amico told skysports.com.

"I have had no contact with Manchester City at this moment.

"Gennaro is coming back from injury and he is okay at Milan."




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ANCELOTTI RULES OUT ITALIAN JOB

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he has no plans to take charge of Italy next summer.

The Blues chief is one of a host of big names already linked with taking charge of the Azzurri after the World Cup finals, with current coach Marcello Lippi expected to step down after the finals in South Africa.

But Ancelotti has told the media in his homeland that he will not want to be considered for the post.

"I won't be Azzurri coach next year", he La Repubblica.

"I'm Chelsea coach, and I want to see how this beautiful adventure will end."

Ancelotti is looking forward to next summer's finals.

"The World Cup is a fantastic spectacle and I'll see it live," he continued.

"It will be a balanced competition. I don't see a team that could stand out over the others.

"In South Africa the climate will be fresh, and theoretically, it's an advantage for the game.

"I wouldn't be surprised if an African side could arrive in the last four."



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WOLFSBURG ACCEPT DZEKO DESIRE

Wolfsburg manager Armin Veh claims Edin Dzeko is free to leave the club should a suitable offer be made.

The Bosnian striker has announced his desire to move on next summer after three years with the reigning Bundesliga champions.

The highly-rated frontman insists a switch to AC Milan would be his preferred choice, with the Rossoneri having expressed an interest in his services.

And Veh has revealed now that he will not stand in Dzeko's way should the opportunity arise for him to further his career, but he insists a buy-out clause must be met before a potential sale can be discussed.

"It is a fact that he is able to leave if there is a club willing to pay the amount agreed in his contract," Veh told Eurosport.

"This amount of money would put us in the position of being able to find a replacement of a standard comparable to Edin Dzeko's."



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GHANA TO INVESTIGATE ABSENT TRIO

The Ghana Football Association will investigate the absence of Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari and Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan from the squad which travelled to Luanda for today's friendly against Angola.

The trio were not part of the group which left Accra on Monday for the game at the Coqueiros Stadium, but did not have the consent of head coach Milovan Rajevac to leave the squad.

A statement on the GFA website from general secretary Kofi Nsiah read: "In accordance with prescribed FIFA regulations for the release of players for national team matches, the FA wrote to and secured the release of 20 players to honour the World Cup qualifying match against Mali on November 15 and the international friendly against Angola on November 18.

"Unfortunately, three players, namely Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, did not travel with the team to Angola on Monday night.

"The players stayed out without the permission of the head coach, Mr Milovan Rajevac. The FA views this act with great concern and will investigate the matter further to inform its next course of action."



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AGENT: TOULALAN EYES INTER CHANCE

Jeremy Toulalan's agent admits his client would welcome the opportunity to join Serie A giants Inter Milan.

Reports in Italy suggest Jose Mourinho is planning a summer raid for the Lyon midfielder, while Fiorentina are also believed to be keen.

Toulalan has been strongly linked with a move away from Stade Gerland in the past, with the France international highly rated across Europe.

He has expressed no public desire to take on a fresh challenge, after three years at Lyon, but his representative insists he would be interested in a switch to Inter.

"Inter would be a very welcome destination," Michael Manuello told tuttomercatoweb.com.

Manuello insists there has been no contact from the Italians as yet, but admits Fiorentina have expressed an interest in the past.

He added: "At the moment we haven't been in touch with Inter, while the interest from Fiorentina is long running. I can confirm that they have followed Toulalan for a while."




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SURGERY FOR SANTON

Inter Milan defender Davide Santon is set to undergo knee surgery after suffering a meniscus tear.

Santon picked up the injury to his right knee while playing for Italy Under-21s against Luxembourg on Tuesday night, Inter confirmed on their official website.

Santon has made just three Serie A starts this term.



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CHIELLINI STRIKES TO BASH SWEDES

Giorgio Chiellini's first-half header earned Italy a narrow victory over Sweden in the Azzurri's last friendly match of the year in Cesena.

The Juventus defender headed the ball from a corner past a helpless Andreas Isaksson after 28 minutes and it proved to be the only goal of the contest.

As expected, Italy coach Marcello Lippi fielded an experimental side with no members of the triumphant 2006 World Cup side in his starting XI.

Marco Marchionni, Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Di Natale formed the Azzurri's attacking line. The game offered Lippi a chance to evaluate several candidates to complete his World Cup squad.

For Sweden, it was the first of newly-installed head coach Erik Hamren, who had to do without team's best-known player Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Barcelona.

Sweden enjoyed their share of possession in the first half but it was Italy who created the better chances.

The visitors had the first scoring opportunity early on with Tobias Hysen beating the offside trap before firing a right-footed strike which was met by a fine clearance from Italy goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

Italy reacted with a Chiellini header from Antonio Candreva's free-kick, which forced Isaksson to knock out for a corner.

The Azzurri missed a golden chance to take the lead in the 20th minute.

Di Natale latched onto Cristian Maggio's cross from the right and volleyed from 30 yards to force Isaksson to fully stretch in order to clear.

The hosts broke the deadlock soon after.

Chiellini got behind Cristian Maggio's corner-kick and his header beat Isaksson.

The Swedes could have equalised before half-time.

Anders Svensson's bullet strike from outside the area went just wide of the far post.

Lippi made three substitutions early in the second half and his players manufactured a good chance.

Pazzini got behind Marchionni's cross but his right-footed effort from the edge of the area went wide.

At the other end, Daniel Majstorovic should have pulled his team level in the 54th minute but his right-footed strike did not beat Marchetti.

Shortly after, Di Natale surged down the left flank before hitting a right-footed effort that went over the bar.

On the hour mark, substitute Giuseppe Rossi should have done better for Italy but his lob attempt went off target with only Isaksson to beat.

In the 67th minute, Olof Mellberg's header from a corner for Sweden went high.

With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Daniele Galloppa's free-kick went over the bar while soon after, Isaksson did well to come off his line and anticipate Rossi, who was ready to score.

Sweden could have restored parity deep in stoppage time but Pontus Wernbloom's header from a corner-kick was cleared by Marchetti as Italy held on for the win.




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AQUILANI HANDED WORLD CUP

Italy manager Marcello Lippi has opened the door for Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani to earn a place in his 2010 World Cup squad.

The injury-prone former Roma player has yet to start a match since a £20million summer move to Anfield after undergoing ankle surgery in the summer.

A virus has also restricted Aquilani to just two appearances for Liverpool, but he now looks set to be named in Rafa Benitez's first XI against Manchester City on Saturday.

All eyes will be on the 25-year-old if he does start against City, including those of international boss Lippi who has offered the added incentive of a World Cup place.

"I have a varied group and it needs to be complete," said Lippi in The Times.

"If I haven't considered a certain player, then why should I not consider him if the conditions are right?

"Look at Aquilani for example. If he plays with consistency for Liverpool, then why shouldn't I consider him?"




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CHIELLINI DENIES VAN PERSIE INTENT

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini insists he did not deliberately intend to hurt Holland forward Robin van Persie.

Arsenal striker Van Persie is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering torn ankle ligaments in a challenge with Chiellini during Italy's goalless draw with Holland last weekend.

Chiellini has come under fire from some of Van Persie's Dutch team-mates, but the Juventus stopper is adamant he did not set out to injure the striker and hopes the Arsenal man makes a speedy return to action.

"Some people tried to stir up trouble to distract attention from the performance," said Chiellini.

"I have never gone into a tackle to hurt anyone in my entire life and Van Persie said the same thing.

"If you look at the footage it's clear it was not a nasty challenge. I was the first to be upset about Van Persie and hope he'll recover as soon as possible. I was actually surprised he was injured from that situation."




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AGENT: ROMA WANT PAVLYUCHENKO Tottenham v Wigan

The agent of Roman Pavlyuchenko claims Roma director Daniele Prade has flown to England this week to discuss the Tottenham striker's possible transfer.

Pavlyuchenko has made no secret of his desire to quit White Hart Lane and the former Spartak Moscow star was quoted as saying on Wednesday that a return to Russia was a preference.

Spurs boss Redknapp has maintained that he wants to keep the forward, but he has preferred to select Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe or Peter Crouch this season.

A lack of first-team football has frustrated Pavlyuchenko, whose international credentials have suffered as a result, and a January exit now seems a certainty, although Tottenham are keen to earn a fee close to the £13.8million they paid Spartak.

Zenit St Petersburg have been listed as admirers but, according to Pavlyuchenko's representative, Oliver Wendt, Roma are also interested as they seek firepower to boost a flagging season.

Wendt told romagiallorossa.com: "It is true, yesterday Daniele Prade was in London to better understand the situation of Pavlyuchenko but we don't know the real intentions of the Giallorossi.

"However, the player will surely leave Tottenham as he wanted to leave them this summer.

"It is a feasible piece of business with Roma, but we need to see the needs of the two clubs in question. Roman would be willing to transfer to the Italian capital."



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ITALY WON'T PLAY WAITING GAME

Marcello Lippi's future as Italy coach will be decided before the 2010 World Cup gets underway.

Lippi, who led the Azzurri to global glory in 2006 and returned for a second spell in 2008, will see his current contract reach its conclusion at the end of next summer's finals.

Speculation is rife that he will not continue past that point, with a new man set to take the reins.

Reports have suggested that Lippi will seek to make a return to former club Juventus ahead of the 2010/11 campaign, possibly as a director.

The Italian Football Federation have given no indication that they plan to part with Lippi's services, but they have admitted that the situation will be resolved before Italy start the defence of their World Cup crown.

"Obviously results are important in football but you cannot leave the decision on the future of the national team coach until after the World Cup," federation head Giancarlo Abete told Rai television.

"We need to go to South Africa with our ideas clear."

Abete revealed that the Italian FA are keen to avoid a repeat of the uncertainty which surrounded Roberto Donadoni's position in the run-up to Euro 2008.

Meanwhile, following Carlo Ancelotti's committal to Chelsea for the foreseeable future, Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli insists he would have no interest in the national post, should it become available.

"The national team? I have not spoken with anyone," he told Sportmediaset.it.

"I don't want to talk about it either, because at this moment there is a coach in the job who has proven to be the best and I hope he will continue in the role."



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BECKS REJECTS ENGLISH OFFERS AC Milan v Cagliari

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has revealed that he was approached by clubs in England before deciding to return to AC Milan on loan in January.

The 34-year-old will hope to repeat his successful 2008/09 temporary spell at the San Siro when he heads back to Italy in the New Year after the conclusion of the MLS season.

Beckham hopes the move will improve his international credentials, with Three Lions boss Fabio Capello stating he will only select players who are playing regular club football.

But while the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is delighted to be returning to Italy, he has confirmed that he was targeted by sides in England before opting for Serie A.

Beckham told Sky Sports News: "There were options there. But I always said that when I left Milan, if I had the chance to go back, I would go back there.

"If they wanted me, I would go back there. That was always my No.1 choice, if I had a choice.

"I am honoured that they want me and I can't wait to go back."

Asked if he had offers from England, Beckham, refusing to name clubs, said: "There was a couple."

Meanwhile, Beckham maintains that he does not regret his move to LA after surprisingly swapping Madrid for America in 2007.

He said in the Seattle Times: "People came up to me after my first few months and after my first year here and asked me if I regretted my decision to come here and play," said Beckham. "And they still ask me the same question now. And I've always said, 'no I don't.'

"I'm still enjoying playing here. I think you always go through difficult times, in life, in your work and with people and it's about how you handle yourself.

"I've always tried to handle myself in the right way, which is playing soccer and working hard. Sometimes that's good enough for people and sometimes it's not."



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SCOTS IN THIRD POT FOR 2012 QUALIFIERS

Scotland have been confirmed among the third seeds for February's European Championship qualifying draw.

The Scots have fallen down the rankings after a dismal showing in the race to reach next year's World Cup and are now rated the 26th best side in Europe.

England are among the nine top seeds, while Wales are in Pot Four, and both could be drawn to meet either Scotland, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, who are all seeded third.

Euro 2012 qualifying seedings

Pot One: Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, England, Croatia, Portugal, France, Russia.

Pot Two: Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Turkey, Denmark, Slovakia, Romania.

Pot Three: Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Pot Four: Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Belarus, Belgium, Wales, FYR Macedonia, Cyprus.

Pot Five: Montenegro, Albania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein.

Pot Six: Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Malta, Faroe Islands, Andorra, San Marino.



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DEL PIERO BACK FOR JUVE

Juventus will welcome back captain Alessandro del Piero for Sunday's game against Udinese.

The 35-year-old striker has been out with a thigh injury for over a month but is set to return to action.

Del Piero's absence has not hindered the Bianconeri, who are in second place and five points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

"I see an in-form Juventus side," said Del Piero.

"I am fully recovered and eager to return to play. In order to catch Inter, we have to remain strong and hope Jose Mourinho's side has a drop in form."

Inter Milan are not the only club Ciro Ferrara's Juve are keeping an eye on.

Failure to win for Juventus could see AC Milan, who face red-hot Cagliari, leapfrog them in the standings.

The Turin giants go into this weekend's action just two points clear of Milan.

Cagliari, meanwhile, will travel to the San Siro on the back of four straight wins.

Serie A leaders Inter have suffered a blow heading into Saturday's encounter at Bologna with the news that Davide Santon will be out of action for at least a month.

The defender has undergone knee surgery after damaging his meniscus while on duty with Italy's under-21 side this week and is out indefinitely.

Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic is set to miss out on Sunday's clash against Parma after failing to recover from a foot injury.

The Viola, who are fourth in the standings, will be hoping they can again overcome his absence as they head into this weekend's match on the back of two straight wins.

Anything but a win for Fiorentina would see Sampdoria move into the last Champions League qualifying spot as the Blucerchiati are level on 21 points with the Viola.

Samp will have to show a vast improvement against Chievo after claiming just one point in the last three rounds.

Genoa will fancy their chances of taking maximum points at Livorno after claiming seven points from a possible nine in their last three games to climb to sixth in the table.

Palermo coach Walter Zenga was handed a vote of confidence ahead of Sunday's Sicilian derby clash against Catania.

Zenga is under pressure with his team having failed to win in its last three encounters.

Roma will be bolstered by Francesco Totti's return when they host Bari.

The Roma captain has recovered from knee surgery and is back in the squad.

Totti, who has been out of action for over a month, is the team's top scorer with six goals.

The Romans are 13th and six points adrift of Fiorentina.

A defeat on Sunday at Napoli could bring to an end coach Davide Ballardini's tenure at Lazio.

The Biancoceleste have failed to win in the league since August 30 and their poor form has seen them drop to 16th in the standings, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Atalanta will look to stop the rot when they travel to bottom side Siena on Sunday.

The Bergamaschi, who hold the last position of safety, have lost their last three games.



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