Juve primed for Palacio swoop
Friday 9 December, 2005
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Juventus have their sights set on Boca Juniors sensation Rodrigo Palacio, according to reports in Italy.
Palacio is an emerging force in the Argentine game and has impressed the Bianconeri, whose South American scout Nestor Sivori appears to have convinced the skilful winger to move to Turin.
Luciano Moggi (pictured) and Roberto Bettega are expected in Buenos Aires in January to attempt to complete the signing of the 23-year-old, who has already scored 10 goals from midfield for his club.
Likened to Roberto Baggio in his playing style, Palacio is renowned for his impressive dribbling skills, his lethal finishing and his ability to play on either wing or up front and has already attracted the interest of Barcelona.
However it is thought that the player is keen to move to Juventus, who enjoy a huge following in Argentina, where he will earn ten times his current annual salary of £170,000.
Palacio, who holds a Spanish passport, would challenge the likes of Mauro Camoranesi, Pavel Nedved and Alessandro Del Piero for a first-team place and would move to the Stadio Delle Alpi in the summer.