Sunderland plan Chiellini bid
Tuesday 14 August, 2007
Reports in England suggest that Sunderland could make a £10m offer for Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.
The Bianconero was linked with Liverpool and Manchester City earlier in the summer, after complaining that he felt neglected by the Old Lady.
However, Coach Claudio Ranieri and other club officials have denied that the player is set to leave Turin, stating that any offers for the 23-year-old would not be accepted.
The latest rumours suggest that the newly-promoted Premiership side are now interested in Chiellini’s services and are ready to pay the Serie B champions £10m.
Sunderland would also reportedly offer a three-year contract worth £1.7m per season to the former Fiorentina man, who currently earns £650,000 a year.
The news has not been confirmed in Italy and a transfer does not seem likely to take place, as the ex-Italy Under-21 captain would not favour a move to a club likely to fight for safety.
Chiellini’s agent had stated that his client would welcome a move to Manchester City, where he would have increased the Italian contingent already formed by Rolando Bianchi and Bernardo Corradi.
“He would be thrilled to play in the Premier League with City, but everything depends on Juventus, on the final price and on their will to let him leave,” explained Davide Lippi.
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