Pires favours Juve, reveals agent
Arsenal winger Robert Pires is interesting Italian side Juventus but will not move to Galatasaray, according to his agent.
Turkish club Galatasaray claimed they were close to signing the 31-year-old French international.
But Stephane Courbis told Turkish newspaper Vatan: "Galatasaray? We haven't got an offer from that club.
"Right now Juventus is the only interested party. It is not possible Pires can go to any club in Turkey."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was equally unaware of Galatasaray's interest.
He said: "We haven't got an offer from their manager nor anybody else. I am hearing for the first time that Galatasaray are interested."
The chance of a deal going through is getting higher
Galatasaray vice-president Turgay Kiran
Galatasaray vice-president Turgay Kiran is insistent, however, that the club are serious in their bid to sign Pires.
He said: "The talks are going on. Since Pires lowered his price, the chance of a deal going through is getting higher."
But Courbis added: "The price of our player is £2.75m a year. Lowering the price is not an issue you can discuss."
Galatasaray president Ozhan Canaydyn earlier said: "The agreement has not been reached yet, but we can say that we are making progress towards finalising it."
Pires has also been linked with Juventus, Valencia and Lyon and has spoken favourably about a move to Spain - or a return to France.
He joined Arsenal from Marseille in July 2000 for £6m and has scored 73 goals in 206 starts for the Gunners.
Pires refused a 12-month extension to his Highbury contract, which is due to expire in summer 2006, as he is holding out for a two-year deal.
From BBC sport.