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Manchester United's Pogba accepts Juventus offer The French teenager has spent over a month considering his future at Old Trafford but he is now poised to sign a four-year contract with the newly-crowned champions of Italy. May 7, 2012 EXCLUSIVE By Romeo Agresti Manchester United starlet Paul Pogba has decided to join Juventus on a free transfer this summer, Goal.com understands. The France Under-19 international's current deal with the Premier League outfit expires at the end of the season but Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed last month that an agreement had been reached with the player's agent, Mino Raiola, over an extension. However, Goal.com has learned that Pogba has now accepted a four-year contract offer from Juve worth an estimated €1 million per season, plus bonuses. The Bianconeri had been growing increasingly impatient with the midfielder's reluctance to make a decision over his future and even issued him an April 30 deadline in order to bring the matter to a head. It seems that tactic has worked - albeit belatedly - and that the Old Lady has finally got her man. Raiola's influence is said to have been key as the man who used to represent current Juventus director Pavel Nedved has excellent relations with the Bianconeri, having also persuaded Ajax youngster Ouasim Bouy to move to Turin during the January transfer window. Pogba's imminent arrival at Juventus Stadium is likely to coincide with the departure of Luca Marrone, who will be sent out on loan for a season in order to secure the highly-rated midfielder more experience and game time. Cagliari appears to be the most likely destination for Marrone, but Atalanta are also said to be keen, while a return to Siena cannot be discounted in light of the 22-year-old's impressive season-long stay at the Artemio Franchi last season. In addition, Juventus are also hoping to complete the signing of Marco Verratti in the coming weeks. The deal has been mooted for some time now, with the Bianconeri having reportedly agreed to pay Pescara €3.5m for a 50 per cent stake in a player being described by some in the game as 'the new Andrea Pirlo'. The deal has yet to be finalised, yet despite the alleged interest of Inter the 19-year-old has his heart set on joining the newly-crowned Italian champions. Once the transfer goes through, Juve will then consider whether to allow Verratti to stay at Pescara for another season, given Zdenak Zeman's side are currently top of Serie B and pushing for promotion to the Italian top flight. In that instance, the plan then would then be to bring Verratti to Turin the following year to team up with Marrone in the engine room of a Juve side being spearheaded by Pogba.

Pogba's future at Manchester United to be decided next week - agent Red Devils youngster is out of contract this summer and will choose between a new deal at Old Trafford and a lucrative free-transfer move to Juventus according to his agent. May 2, 2012 Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba will decide on his future next week, according to his agent Mino Raiola. The talented youngster also has an offer on the table from Serie A table-toppers Juventus and the Frenchman's representative has revealed that the midfielder's choice is between the two clubs. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said last week that a deal had been agreed with Raiola and that it was now down to Pogba himself to choose. "I don’t know [which way he will go]," Raiola is quoted as saying in The Times. "It could be United. I will know next week. I think Paul is positive about Ferguson. The boy has a difficult decision to make." Pogba is reportedly highly thought of at Old Trafford but had become frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities. He was given a run in the side during January but an injury last month has prematurely curtailed his season.

Pogba to pick United or Juve May 2, 2012 Paul Pogba will next week decide to stay at Manchester United or leave for Juventus, his agent has confirmed. The French youngster, 19, could quit Old Trafford in the summer once his contract with the Premiership club expires. “I don’t know which way it will go between United and Juventus,” agent Mino Raiola is quoted as saying in The Times. “It could be United. I think Paul is positive about Sir Alex Ferguson. The boy has a difficult situation to make. I will know next week.” Although United want to keep hold of the midfielder, the Frenchman is being targeted by the Old Lady of Italian football. Reports in the peninsula have suggested that Juve have offered the teenager a salary of €23,000 a week. That translates to an annual wage of just under €1.2m. United would not receive a transfer fee for the player should he leave, but would net around €350,000 from the Italian club as training compensation. United signed Pogba from Le Havre in October 2009.

Pogba chooses Juve Apr 30, 2012 Paul Pogba has reportedly decided to turn down a new contract offer at Manchester United in favour of a move to Juventus. The young French midfielder, who was recently handed a run of games for the Old Trafford outfit, has reportedly been in talks with a number of clubs since the turn of the year, in light of his contract in Manchester running to an end this summer. Whilst the Red Devils have been prominent in making moves to extend his deal, reports in Italy suggest that the 19-year-old has turned them down so as to take up an offer from Serie A side Juventus. Calciomercato.com and Sky Sport Italia are both reporting that sources close to the Old Lady have confirmed that an economic agreement has been reached with the midfielder and that official confirmation of the deal is now merely a formality.

Manchester United reach agreement with Paul Pogba's agent over contract extension The 19-year-old, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, has been targeted by Juventus as his contract is set to expire in the summer. Apr 20, 2012 Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United have agreed a contract extension with Paul Pogba's agent. Pogba's current deal is set to expire in the summer and Juventus have been closely monitoring the midfielder's availability at Old Trafford, although earlier this week, Goal.com revealed the Serie A club had started to lose patience with the 19-year-old and issued him with an ultimatum to decide his future by the end of April. "We've agreed a deal with his agent," Ferguson told MUTV. "It's now down to the boy. I must stress, he's going to be a first-team player. There's no doubt about that. "The boy has great potential and I think he's at the right club. But he has to make that decision." Pogba has made seven appearances as a substitute this season but has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering ankle ligament damage during a reserve team game at Newcastle on Monday.

Juventus give Pogba an ultimatum to make decision on summer move The Serie A side have grown tired of waiting for the 19-year-old to decide on a move to Italy, and have told the midfielder he has until the end of the month to make up his mind. Apr 17, 2012 Juventus remain keen to sign Paul Pogba this summer, but the Old Lady are running out of patience and want the Manchester United youngster to make a decision on his future before the end of April, Goal.com can reveal. The 19-year-old has an expiring contract at the Premier League side, and the Frenchman has so far been hesitant to sign a new deal with the Old Trafford club. Juventus are closely monitoring Pogba's situation at United and are keen to lure the youngster to Turin this summer on a Bosman move. The Bianconeri are willing to offer the midfielder a five-year deal worth €500,000 per season plus bonuses. Nevertheless, Pogba is having doubts about whether a move to Italy will benefit his career, and has been delaying his final decision. The Bianconeri are now starting to lose their patience, though, and have told the midfielder that they want an answer by the end of the month. Pogba is just one of many names linked with a move to the Bianconeri this summer as the club looks to compete on three fronts next season.

Juventus-target Pogba yet to make his mind up over future at Manchester United, says agent Mino Raiola claims the young Frenchman will choose between remaining at Old Trafford or moving to the Italian giants when his current deal expires in the summer. Apr 12, 2012 Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has yet to decide wheher to stay at Old Trafford or move to Italian giants Juventus, according to his agent. Pogba has made seven substitute appearances so far this season for the league leaders but has attracted interest from the Italian club and was reportedly close to signing a deal at the Juventus Stadium. Mino Raiola told Sky Sport Italia: "Pogba can remain at Manchester United or go to Juventus. "It's a tough decision to be taken by the boy, thinking of his career. Both possibilities present some chances. "It's a choice that should be made quietly. "United count on him and want to extend his contract. His future will depend very much on the will of the boy."

Pogba offered €1.2m by Juventus Apr 12, 2012 Tuttosport have today revealed the financial details regarding Juventus’ proposed move for Paul Pogba of Manchester United. The 18-year-old could leave Old Trafford in the summer once his contract with the Premiership club expires. Although United want to keep hold of the midfielder, the Frenchman is being targeted by the Old Lady of Italian football. The Turin daily is suggesting that Juve have offered the teenager a salary of €23,000 a week. That translates to an annual wage of just under €1.2m. United would not receive a transfer fee for the player should he leave, but would net around €350,000 from the Italian club as training compensation. Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola could allegedly be handed as much as €2m in the operation. United signed Pogba from Le Havre in October 2009.

Juventus offer €19,000-a-week five-year deal in bid to trump Manchester United in Pogba tug-of-war The French midfielder is weighing up his playing future after reaching an outline agreement with the Bianconeri's general director Giuseppe Marotta three weeks ago. Mar 21, 2012 Paul Pogba celebrated his 19th birthday last Thursday uncertain where he will play his football next season but safe in the knowledge that he is at the centre of a tug-of-war involving current and would-be employers, Manchester United and Juventus. United have made moves to convince Pogba that his future lies at Old Trafford and prevent him from making a summer switch to Serie A by re-opening contract negotiations and giving the midfielder some first-team action. Goal.com can reveal for the first time the details of the offer that the Frenchman has personally received from Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta. It includes a five-year contract initially worth €500,000-a-year (£418,000-a-year) for each of the first two years, but with a clause that if he breaks into the first team his salary will rise to €1 million (£835,000) per annum, or €19,000-a-week (£16,000). Sources in Italy have told Goal.com that Juventus have mapped out their specific plan for Pogba, which would involve him starting off with the youth side and then being promoted to the first team if his progress satisfies the coaching staff. It can also be revealed that Juve will include the provision for Pogba to go out on loan to a Serie B club to further his development if this is requested by coach Antonio Conte and youth-team boss Marco Baroni. Pogba and his representatives came to an outline agreement with Marotta over a deal starting in the summer, when his United contract expires, pending a decision from the Premier League champions. Although Juventus were on the verge of closing a deal at the start of this month, it was not advanced to the point where the player signed a pre-contract, which he is now entitled to do with a club on the continent under Fifa transfer rules. Should Pogba move abroad, United would not receive a transfer fee, although they would be due a nominal sum to cover ‘training compensation’ under Fifa regulations. A move within England would require a fee to be set by an independent tribunal. There is a growing sense at Juventus that Pogba’s camp, which is headed by super agent Mino Raiola, could be using the offer on the table from the Italian giants as leverage to get a better deal from United and fast-track his progress into the first team set-up. "The boy is still trying to make his mind up, but he knows where he should be and he has shown the potential he has got. He is a first-team player, there is no question about that" - Sir Alex Ferguson United are keen to convince the France Under-19 international, who joined the club from Le Havre in 2009, that his future is best served at Old Trafford and senior officials including Sir Alex Ferguson are trying to persuade the player to turn his back on the Juventus deal. With his future in the balance, it is perhaps no coincidence that Pogba has made cameo substitute appearances in each of United’s last three matches – against West Brom, Athletic Bilbao and Wolves. Up to that point, his first-team playing time outside of the League Cup had amounted to 17 minutes against Stoke City on the final day of the January transfer window. Speaking after United’s Premier League win over West Brom 10 days ago, Ferguson admitted that Pogba had yet to decide whether to stick or twist. “The boy is still trying to make his mind up, but he knows where he should be and he has shown the potential he has got,” said the United manager. “He is a first-team player, there is no question about that.” Ferguson is loathe to lose a young central midfielder who he rates so highly and who had initially been earmarked for the first team in 2012-13 so soon after reluctantly allowing Ravel Morrison to join West Ham. The Scot has been outspoken about the influence of Pogba’s representatives, who he accused earlier this year of chasing the best cash offer for their client. He said: “Matt Busby summed it up perfectly, that you don't need to chase money at a club like Manchester United, it will eventually find you. If you're good enough, you will earn money and become rich playing for us, there's no doubt about it.”

Pogba to Juventus still not done Mar 12, 2012 Manchester United have cast doubts over reports that Paul Pogba will be heading to Juventus in the summer. Stories last week intimated that the 18-year-old had already decided to move to Turin once his contract expires in June. However, after making an appearance against West Brom, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists the teenager could sign a new deal at Old Trafford. “The boy is still trying to make his mind up, but he knows where he should be,” Ferguson stated to MUTV. “He has shown again the potential he has got and he is a first-team player – there is no question about that.” The Old Lady have apparently offered the teenager a four-year contract which will see him net around £15,000 a week. United will receive only around £300,000 from Juventus as “training compensation” – a fee which will be determined by FIFA – should the transfer take place. United signed the French midfielder, who is represented by agent Mino Raiola, from Le Havre in October 2009.

Pogba agrees to join Juve Mar 7, 2012 Paul Pogba has reportedly agreed to leave Manchester United for Juventus at the end of the season. The 18-year-old midfielder has been in talks with United about a new contract, but no deal could be struck. It now appears that the French midfielder, who is represented by agent Mino Raiola, is heading to the Juventus Stadium. The Old Lady have apparently offered the teenager a four-year deal which will see him net around £15,000 a week. United will receive only around £300,000 from Juventus as “training compensation” – a fee which will be determined by FIFA. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be unhappy with the departure of the teenager whom he signed in October 2009 from Le Havre in contentious circumstances. The French club accused United of poaching the player, but United were given clearance to complete a move for him.

Pogba puts Juve and Milan on hold Feb 28, 2012 Paul Pogba won’t consider reported offers from Juventus and Milan until he’s held further talks with Manchester United. The teenage midfielder is out of contract in the summer and the two Italian giants have shown an interest in the 18-year-old. “It is a precarious situation and a difficult moment,” the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, told The Independent. “It is up to the boy to make some decisions. “We know there are some clubs interested in him, but Manchester United want him to stay. “The club give the indication that they want to keep him and we are talking contract terms. There is willingness from both parties at the moment. “We must finish first with Manchester and after that we will see other options – if they are there.” Pogba moved to Old Trafford from Le Havre in 2009.

Juventus make Pogba offer Feb 22, 2012 Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has received an offer from Italian giants Juventus, it has been claimed. The 18-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to give any clear indication that he will remain at Old Trafford beyond the summer. Pogba is free to talk to other clubs as he the end of his contract nears expiration and, it would appear, the French teenager has been in contact with Juventus. According to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, Pogba has received a proposal from Juve, and could put pen to paper on a four year contract next month. Manchester United, though, are unlikely to give up on Pogba without a fight, and Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to keep the youngster at Old Trafford. And, says Ferguson, Rio Ferdinand could play a key role in ensuring Pogba is still a Manchester United player next season. "Rio has become an important figure at the club He is good with the players. He is good with the young players," Ferguson said, according to the Manchester Evening News. “At the moment, he is working hard on the boy Pogba and talking to him. The young boy is unsure. But Rio is well regarded.”

Juventus lead the race to sign Man. United Paul Pogba Italian club are believed to be best placed to sign the young Red Devils midfielder, with his Old Trafford contract set to run out following the end of the current campaign. Jan 22, 2012 Juventus are believed to be in pole position to sign Manchester United youngster Paul Pogba. The 18-year-old moved to Old Trafford in 2009 after leaving Le Havre under controversial circumstances, as the Red Devils were cleared of any wrongdoing since the youngster had not been contractually bound to the French club. Now, however, the young midfielder is believed to be frustrated at having not broken through the ranks and is thought to be exploring his options. The French player's contract with United expires at the end of June, and he is free to speak to other clubs concerning a potential move away from Old Trafford. Now, The Sunday Mirror has reported that Juventus are currently the best placed club to secure the signature of the talented youngster. Meanwhile, Goal.com has exclusively revealed that Manchester City are also plotting to capture Pogba.

Buffon: 'I did nothing wrong' June 2, 2012 Gigi Buffon gave an update on his injury, but above all hit back at reports trying to drag him into the betting scandal. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” The goalkeeper went off at half-time in yesterday night’s 3-0 friendly defeat to Russia – when it was still goalless – due to a shoulder strain. “I had a little knock on my shoulder when I went down to save, but I’m ok and I think my half was played with the right determination.” Naturally, the conversation with RAI Sport drifted to the betting scandal, as police staged a dawn raid on the Coverciano training ground on Monday and most recently newspapers tried to drag Buffon into the affair with details of €1.5m he gave to a Parma tobacconist. The tobacconist also has a betting booth, but Buffon insists most of the payments were for 20 Rolex watches. “It has been a very tough week for everyone. That’s the truth, there’s no point lying about it. But in these moments you can tell who the real men are. “We have zero fear, a lot of determination and are ready to step up when called upon to battle. “I don’t have to clarify anything, as it is all clear. My expenditures, whether a collection of watches or helping a friend to buy a house, is private and of no interest to anyone. “Someone decided to spread this to the media. Next time I’ll just tell everyone when I spend money, that way we can save the effort. “All week the squad, including the Coach, realised something is amiss. Around five or six of us were dragged into it. “Of course last night I was very upset, but at the end of the day I’ve done nothing wrong and didn’t kill anyone. It’s all so perfectly clear in my accounts that I have nothing to fear. It’s just a terrible shame to see speculation and people playing with human beings as if it was a game. “I hope the media do something about this too, as everyone has to do their job well and work with conscience.” It is illegal for players to bet on football matches, but the goalkeeper has said in the past he used to bet on other sports. “I have broken absolutely no rules, not sporting or legal. I have a collection of watches and helped a friend to buy some land. It’s my business and there was already an investigation 18 months ago with nobody finding anything wrong. “Clearly when you take the responsibility to vehemently express opinions then you have to be ready to accept the blow-back. “The scandal is disappointing and does not honour football, but it’s also true we are talking about a minority. Therefore the majority needs to be protected.”

Stephan Lichtsteiner: The Right Man For The Job June 2, 2012 The new Juventus Stadium had seen just fifteen minutes of official match play when, having had his own route to goal blocked by not one but two opposing players, Andrea Pirlo checked his run and almost without looking clipped a ball over the top of the static Parma backline. Floated perfectly, it dropped to the feet of Stephan Lichtsteiner who had cut in unnoticed from his position on the right. He controlled the ball with one foot before slotting past the helpless Antonio Mirante with the other, the ball settling into the back of the visitor’s goal. Their new home had its first competitive goal and Juventus had not only found a new hero but, finally, a quality right-back to fill the team’s most long-standing void. Antonio Conte rightly deserves all the plaudits he has received for steering the club he captained with such distinction to the Serie A title in his debut season on the Bianconeri bench. Similarly, Pirlo’s immaculate passing, thoughtful probing and sublime vision undoubtedly made him the side’s most outstanding performer on the field. During the campaign however, the Switzerland international was perhaps the one other player whose arrival could match that of the 2006 World Cup winner in terms of significance and importance to a team which improved greatly thanks to his presence. Since their enforced relegation six years ago, a seemingly endless stream of poor performers have attempted to fill the right-back slot so ably covered by the accomplished Lilian Thuram prior to the fallout of the Calciopoli scandal. Sure, Alessandro Birindelli was a loyal and perfectly serviceable option in the second division but, after returning to the top flight in 2007, Jonathan Zebina, Zdeněk Grygera, Olof Mellberg and Marco Motta all failed to reach anything like the required standard while Martín Cáceres’ biggest admirers would admit the rawness of his game during his first tour of duty with the Turin club. Even the signing of Lichtsteiner – brought from Lazio for a significant sum of €10 million in late June last year – was, prior to his arrival, viewed something of a gamble. Here was a player considered solid but temperamental and far better suited to a wing-back role rather than being pressed into service as an orthodox full-back. He had collected no fewer than twenty yellow cards in ninety league appearances for the Biancocelesti and was involved in a number of memorable spats, none more so than with Christian Panucci in the Rome derby in which he also scored the winning goal. He enjoyed a relatively successful three year spell in the Italian capital, netting a shootout penalty in their 2009 Italian Cup Final win over Sampdoria and also helping Lazio defeat Inter in the Super Cup that same year. Yet, as has happened with almost every signing from last summer, moving to Juventus has seen the Swiss international elevate his game to a higher level than any previous point in his career. As we saw on that sunny September afternoon, life in Turin would begin in the best possible fashion as he netted that historic opening goal, a strike which would also mark the beginning of a wonderful understanding with Pirlo. It became a huge weapon for Conte’s men throughout the campaign and the move would be repeated countless times, culminating in many dangerous attacks and leading to his only other goal, a header in January’s win at Atalanta. He added two assists and completed 87% of his 1575 pass attempts making him the seventh best passer at the club but it was undoubtedly his defensive attributes which were most vital to the team. Lichtsteiner made 64 tackles, 91 clearances, 27 interceptions and blocked seven shots in 34 league games and, while the former Lille man was dribbled past by opposition players seventeen times, he was able to recover his position many times thanks to his incredible stamina and pace. What is even more interesting however has been the way he impressed so greatly as part of a back four which made his performances as a wing-back – where he shone at Lazio – seem far more average. The popular stat based website WhoScored.com gave him an average of 7.04 in his 24 games as a right-back but that dropped to 6.52 across the ten matches he was deployed on the right of a five man midfield. Looking for reasons for that difference in performance it is important to note that Conte has largely utilised the 3-5-2 against Serie A’s tougher sides. Indeed, among those ten games Lichtsteiner featured in that role are two matches against each of Roma, Napoli and Udinese as well as one against Milan, all among the Old Lady’s rivals at the top end of the league table at the end of the season. Added to that is his position on the field and those taken by team mates in each different shape. As part of the midfield Lichtsteiner would usually occupy the flank alone, often lining up against both the opposition full-back and a covering midfielder. This would make space hard to find, a by-product of better quality defenders and was exacerbated by him being further forward, increasingly condensing the field and cut down on opportunities to break free from his marker. In contrast, playing in a 4-3-3 not only meant his direct opponent would be a midfielder – far more likely to be caught out of position than a natural defender – and with a wide player such as Simone Pepe or Emmanuele Giaccherini also occupying the full-back on the Juventus right. He would also have room to run into, the player often referred to by the self-explanatory ‘lo Swiss Express’ moniker allowed to build up a head of steam before receiving the ball. It may perhaps be an overly simplistic way of looking at his efforts, but it is no surprise that both his goals – and his two assists – all came in games he played as part of a back four. Fatigue would also play its part with Lichtsteiner looking increasingly tired as the season drew towards a triumphant conclusion for la vecchia Signora and indeed he played more minutes than all but four other outfield players at the club. He was replaced after just 25 minutes of the decisive game against Cagliari due to injury, marking one of only five occasions in which he would fail to complete the full ninety minutes during a draining campaign. The mental and physical energy required of all the players as Juventus fought, not only to secure the Serie A title but also maintain their unbeaten run, cannot be understated and perhaps only Arturo Vidal and Simone Pepe would embody that incredible drive more than the 28 year old. He may be widely known as ‘Forrest Gump’ but all that truly matters is that Juventus can finally call on a player who displays the consistency and talent befitting a club that has been home to some of world football’s best since the birth of his position. His name is Stephan Lichtsteiner and he is, at last, the right right-back.

Masiello: Bonucci was open to influencing Udinese - Bari fixture The Atalanta player and former team-mate of the Italy international affirmed the defender's willingness to ensure the 2009-10 game ended in a draw. June 2, 2012 Andrea Masiello has implicated Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci in the Scommessopoli gambling scandal that continues to rock Italian football, swearing under oath that his former Bari team-mate was prepared to fix the result of the clash against Udinese two years ago. Answering questions from judge Giovanni Abbrescia, the current Atalanta player explained how several men from the Puglia club, including Bonucci, Salvatore Masiello and Alessandro Parisi, were interested in ensuring that the match in the 2009-10 season ended in a high-scoring draw. However, Masiello did absolve Simone Pepe from involvement, stating that the winger had no interest in influencing the score. "I went to the training field to talk with Bonucci, Belmonte, Parisi and Salvatore Masiello and present this thing. Businessman Nicola Di Tullo was prepared to start betting live and a draw would have paid out for us," the public hearing heard from Masiello. "I said to Bonucci that as well as other partners Di Tullio was ready to give us some money, I don't know how much. He wanted to bet on the game live if it ended in a tie. He and his team-mates were in favour, he said 'you can tell him that we are interested'. "In the practice Pepe was called, and he was asked if he was interested or not... Later when I was in the room Belmonte came back to me, and told me 'no, Pepe told me no.'"

Buffon lawyer slams betting stories June 1, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon’s lawyer has blasted talk of his involvement in the betting scandal as “supposition, gossip and malice.” The Italy and Juventus goalkeeper was rumoured to have spent €1.5m on various bets at a Parma tobacconist who also has a betting booth at his business. This is not per se illegal, as players are only barred from betting on football, but can place bets on other sports. “It is supposition, gossip and malice,” declared lawyer Marco Valerio Corini on RadioCalciomercato.it. “The thing that really amazes is seeing this information hit the newspapers with such violence after a particularly bitter press conference Gianluigi had given at Coverciano. There is a strange synergy between the two things. “In legal terms there is absolutely nothing that caught the interest of the magistrates, who already knew of this reserved information for the last six months. “Buffon is not remotely of interest to the investigation, not even as a witness. The beneficiary of the cheques Gianluigi wrote has among his businesses a Lottomatica betting booth. Anything else is bar talk level of speculation. “Something similar happened in 2006 and I hope that can bring Italy luck, just as it did in that World Cup. At the time Gianluigi was also interviewed by police, but the investigation regarding him was shelved both in a sporting and civil justice system. “Unlike in 2006, here we are giving credence to thin air, as there isn’t even an investigation involving him. We are monitoring everything that is published and after the Euros we will return to analyse calmly who and above all why certain stories were spread.”

Mancio wanted Cavani & Chiellini June 1, 2012 Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has revealed that he’s requested Edinson Cavani and Giorgio Chiellini in the past. In an interview with Tuttosport on Friday, the tactician was asked about possible transfer targets for his Premiership champions. City have been paired with Napoli ace Cavani, but the Sampdoria legend insists he’s not looking for any strikers this summer. “We won’t buy in attack unless one of our players leave first,” he stated. “Saying that, Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie is world class. “Van Persie or Cavani? They are different. The Uruguayan’s valuation is impossible to match at this moment in time. “He is a player who has it all and I wanted to sign him for Inter while I was still with the Nerazzurri.” The Manchester outfit have also been paired with Juventus and Italy stopper Chiellini over the years. “I thought about Chiellini a year ago, but that is no longer the case as we have a lot of options at the back now,” Mancio insisted.

Juventus snub bid for Marrone June 1, 2012 Juventus have reportedly rejected an offer from Atalanta for the services of Italian Under-21 international Luca Marrone. Marrone, 22, is a promising midfield player yet he was restricted to just three League appearances during 2011-12. Atalanta are understood to have made an enquiry for the midfielder earlier this week, but their interest was rebuffed. Despite his lack of use over the last 12 months, Juventus boss Antonio Conte is an admirer of the Azzurrini regular. Conte kept him in Turin last summer after working with him at Siena during the 2010-11 Serie B campaign. Cagliari have also been paired with a bid for the player who was born in Turin back in 1990.