Juve await Amauri D-day
Monday 14 April, 2008
Juventus chief Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has revealed that tomorrow could be a crucial day for the Old Lady’s bid to sign Palermo hitman Amauri.
The Bianconeri are looking to reinforce their squad this summer to challenge for the Scudetto next term and they have set their sights on luring Amauri.
The Brazilian marksman is ready to leave the Stadio Renzo Barbera in the summer and has a number of potential suitors, but Juve are firmly in pole position.
“Tomorrow, there will be a meeting between Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini, myself, Jean-Claude Blanc and Alessio Secco to discuss Amauri,” Cobolli Gigli said on Radio Anch’io Sport.
“The player is interested in us and we are hoping to buy him. It could be that the meeting is inconclusive, but there is a desire to do business.”
Palermo are expected to demand around £15m for the former Chievo man, but Press reports suggest that a part-exchange deal is likely, possible involving Azzurrini starlet Sebastian Giovinco.
Cobolli Gigli also discussed the signings that have already been made over the last few months.
“Mohamed Sissoko is a great player and a great person,” he declared. “He is young and has become an idol with our fans - he is proving to be an excellent buy.
“I also consider Tiago Mendes to be a superstar, even if he hasn’t managed to give us what we expected.
“We have already signed Olof Mellberg on a free transfer to reinforce the defence and then there are youngsters like Giovinco, Claudio Marchisio and hopefully Paolo De Ceglie to return.”
Juve have exceeded expectations and look set to cement a place in next season’s Champions League and Cobolli Gigli concluded by praising his side’s achievements so far.
“The team has stayed compact and demonstrated that the year in Serie B was a one-off,” he said.
“The objective for this season is to finish in the top four and get a place in the Champions League, but the fans are hungry for a Scudetto and we hope to achieve that next term.
“Inter and Roma are very strong, but when we have played against them we have shown that we aren’t that far back from them. To overcome the gap, we just need to strengthen correctly in the market.”
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