Juve not Keane
Juventus have distanced themselves from this morning's frantic tabloid speculation linking them with a move for former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
The 34-year-old midfielder left Old Trafford by mutual consent last week and is free to sign for any club - with Juventus one of the first, and biggest, clubs said to be interested. But Juventus general director Luciano Moggi said: "The Juventus team is already strong as it is."
Manchester United made the surprise announcement on Friday that Keane was leaving after more than 12 hugely successful seasons at the club.
Juventus are one of the few clubs that could match the wages Keane was on at Old Trafford, but would find it difficult to give him time on the pitch.
The defending Serie A champions bolstered their squad in the summer with the signing of Patrick Vieira, Keane's bitter Arsenal rival in the Premiership. Brazilian Emerson is also one of the midfield lynchpins in their squad.
Another Serie A side, Roma, have distanced themselves from Keane in even more categorical terms than Juve. "We have never been in contact with Roy Keane or his agent because he is a player that doesn't interest us, not now or in the future," said Roma sporting director Daniele Prade.
And Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has taken his club off the list of Premiership outfits interested in securing Keane's services.
The Irishman has been Manchester City, Everton, Aston Villa, West Brom and Portsmouth - and Bruce is confident he could do a job for any of them - but Birmingham will not be making room for him in their midfield.
"I think he has still got something left as a player. I know him well. I wouldn't be surprised if something is already sorted. Will we be trying to sign him? No, I think we can rule that one out, that's for sure," Bruce said.
"Like everything, all good things do come to an end and I was as shocked as everyone else by the timing of Roy's departure. Roy Keane will go down as part of Man United's history, one of the great players. They have been associated with great players and I don't think many have served as well as Roy over 12 years."
Staff and agencies
football.guardian.co.uk