++ [ originally posted by Monkfish
] ++
Messina move for Milito? Sunday 7 August, 2005
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There are reports that Juventus will sign Genoa hitman Diego Milito and immediately loan him out to Messina.
The Argentine striker is hot property on the transfer market following his 21 goals to earn promotion from Serie B last season.
However, he will demand to be sold this summer if Genoa’s appeal against the match-fixing penalty is rejected and the club demoted to Serie C1.
Inter and Milan are also interested in Milito, but it appears that Juve have the upper hand with the offer of regular first team football at Messina for his first top flight term. In turn, the Sicilians could release Riccardo Zampagna into the hands of Sampdoria.
Meanwhile, there are also claims in the Gazzetta dello Sport that Juventus have not given up on the idea of capturing Antonio Cassano (pictured).
The Italian international’s contract expires in 2006 and renegotiations have hit a major stumbling block. It’s even rumoured he could be frozen out of the squad if he refuses to pen an extended deal, but Roma can only sell him for £13m cash due to FIFA’s transfer embargo on signing new players.
It was suggested that Chelsea would come in with a £11m bid, but Cassano has made it clear he wishes to be reunited with Coach Fabio Capello in Turin.
There will be a friendly match between Roma and Juventus on August 9 and it could be the right time for the Bianconeri to offer him a three-year contract worth £2.7m per season.
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