Juventus intercept the Manchester United-Liverpool battle for Gabriel Heinze and hand two young starlets to Empoli.
Sir Alex Ferguson has again confirmed he will not release Heinze to Liverpool even after they met his £6.8m price tag.
“There hasn't been any change in our stance because Heinze is not going to Liverpool as far as I am concerned,” said the Scot.
Manchester United would only be willing to sell the 29-year-old defender overseas and Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri has ordered his club to take advantage of the situation.
Heinze was one of the prime targets named by Ranieri upon his arrival in Turin this summer and, after capturing Jorge Andrade from Deportivo La Coruna, the Argentine international would complete a reinvigorated defence.
Their other option also plies his trade in the Premier League, as a £3m bid has reportedly been made for Arsenal’s Philippe Senderos.
Meanwhile, Juve continue to reduce the size of their squad by farming out the young talents who proved so decisive in helping them to escape from Serie B.
Both Claudio Marchisio and defender Felice Piccolo will spend this coming season at Empoli, it was confirmed.
Midfielder Marchisio is only on loan, while Piccolo arrives in a co-ownership deal.
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I think it's good to let Marchisio on loan to empoli...
Also Giovinco is there already so it's good for us becuz they can get some playing time in seria A and UEFA cup.