TRANSFER NEWS Francesco Lodi on Milan radar AC Milan are hot on the trail of Catania midfielder Francesco Lodi, Il Corriere dello Sport has revealed. With Riccardo Montolivo ruled out for six months and the likes of Kaka and Taarabt not certain to stay, the Rossoneri are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements. And Il Corrriere dello Sport has learned that Milan are set to reignite their interest in Catania star Francesco Lodi. The 30-year-old surprised everyone as he snubbed several of Italy’s top sides to sign for Genoa last summer, but he returned to Stadio Angelo Massimino just six months later. Lodi has failed to help the Elephants keep their Serie A status, but he is, nonetheless, held in high regard by top Italian clubs. Given his playmaking qualities and top flight experience, Lodi appears to be a perfect replacement for captain Riccardo Montolivo, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg while playing for Italy against Republic of Ireland. ------------------------------------------- Lazio close on Marco Parolo Il Corriere dello Sport understands that Lazio are on the verge of completing a deal for Parma midfielder Marco Parolo. The Biancocelesti have already agreed a transfer fee with I Ducali thought to be €5.5 million plus another €1.4 million depending on performance related bonuses. And while Lazio officials have yet to find an agreement with the player’s representatives, it is believed the two sides are only €200,000 apart at the moment, which is enough to suggest the deal will soon be wrapped up. The Biancocelesti have identified Parolo as one of the players who could add much needed creativity to the centre of the park, with new boss Stefano Pioli eagerly awaiting the arrival of the highly rated midfielder. Following yet another impressive season with Parma, the 29-year-old, who scored 8 goals in 36 league matches last term, was called into Cesare Prandelli’s World Cup squad despite only having four Italy caps to his name. ----------------------------------------- Sebastian Giovinco on Inter radar Inter Milan have inquired about the possibility of signing Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco, Tuttosport has learned. The two clubs were on the verge of agreeing a swap deal that was supposed to include Fredy Guarin and Mirko Vucinic in January, but the transfer fell through at the last minute. And the two sides have recently resumed talks, with the Bianconeri still showing interest in the Colombian midfielder. Inter, on the other hand, are no longer keen on Vucinic, but they have informed their league rivals that fellow forward Sebastian Giovinco is on their radar. The negotiations are still at an early stage and are unlikely to pick up steam until after the 2014 World Cup, but a deal could be made eventually. Fredy Guarin, who is looking to leave the Nerazzurri despite signing a new deal, is suspended for Colombia’s opening World Cup fixture against Greece, where los Cafeteros are 10/11 favourites for the win. ------------------------------------------ Marseille eyeing Ligue 1 star duo Marseille are stepping up their efforts to sign midfielders Romain Alessandrini and Benjamin Stambouli, reports L’Equipe. OM are expected to cash in on quite a few star players, and it appears they will be shopping in France for their replacements. L’Equipe understands that new boss Marcelo Bielsa has given the club officials green light to make their interest in Romain Alessandrini and Benjamin Stambouli concrete. Marseille have been keeping close tabs on Alessandrini for over a year now, and with his contract due to expire in two years’ time, OM officials believe the time is right to launch an assault on the 25-year-old footballer. At the same time, the Stade Velodrome outfit are considering a move for Montpellier starlet Benjamin Stambouli, who is almost certain to leave his employers this summer. La Paillade president Louis Nicollin recently confirmed the reports, suggesting the player who has one year left on his deal should be available for mere €5 million. ------------------------------------------ Roma recruit Australian starlet; Valencia set to sign Enzo Perez Roma recruit Australian starlet Roma have secured the signature of Perth Glory midfielder Danny De Silva, the Australian side have announced on their official website. The 17-year-old has been signed for an undisclosed fee and he will only join his new employers after the 2014/2015 season comes to an end. Da Silva has been regarded as one of country’s hottest prospects and he has been playing for the Australia Under-20 side. The midfielder joined Perth Glory in February 2013, becoming club’s youngest ever professional player and he was handed his first team debut the following month. Da Silva has so far featured in 15 league matches for the club, but he has yet to register his first goal. The talented footballer is likely to profit from staying in Australia for another season and he is expected to play an important role for Perth Glory next term. ------------------------------------------- Dikgacoi makes Cardiff switch Sky Sports understands that Cardiff City have signed midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi from Crystal Palace. The South African moved to England in five years ago, initially signing for Fulham but made just thirteen league appearances before moving to Selhurst Park, initially on loan in February 2011. In total, he racked up one-hundred-and-fourteen appearances in all competitions for the Eagles, scoring eight goals, while internationally he has fifty-four caps and two goals for his country. He becomes Bluebirds’ boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of midfielder Guido Burgstaller and strikers Adam Le Fondre, Javi Guerra, and Federico Macheda. The South Wales side finished bottom of the Premier League last season with thirty points, dropping down to the Championship after just one year back in the top flight. They are currently favourites to win the second-tier title next season, and can be backed at a price of 8/1. ------------------------------------------- Forest complete Veldwijk signing Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Lars Veldwijk from Dutch side Excelsior, according to Sky Sports. The 22 year old scored thirty-four in forty-two league appearances last season, including twelve in the final nine games of the campaign to help them achieve promotion to the top flight. He becomes the second striker to arrive at the City Ground this week, following the signing of Matty Fryatt from Hull City, and has put pen to paper on a three year deal. He began his career with FC Volendam in his native Netherlands, before moving to FC Utrecht in 2011 though he failed to hold down a first team place with the Eredevise side, and was eventually shipped out on loan to FC Dordrecht. Forest finished last season disappointingly winning just two of their final sixteen league games, and they can be backed at a price of 7/2 to achieve promotion next season. -------------------------------------------- Arsenal considering Reina bid Arsenal are set to make a £5m offer for out-of-favour Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, the Metro understands. The 31 year old, who is currently helping his Spain side prepare for their World Cup opener against the Netherlands which takes place in Salvador tomorrow, is set to be sold by the Reds this summer. He spent last season on loan with Napoli, who achieved a third place finish in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia, with Reina appearing in thirty-four appearances across those two competitions. However, Rafael Benitez has ruled out securing the former Barcelona man’s services on a permanent basis due to his wage demands. The Gunners are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper to give competition to Wojciech Sczcesny, after Lukasz Fabianski moved to Swansea City last month. Having ended their nine year trophy drought with victory in the FA Cup final last month, the North London club can be backed at 9/1 to win the Premier League next season. ------------------------------------------- Cesc Fabregas completes move to Chelsea from Barcelona Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas has completed a £27million move from Spanish giants Barcelona to Chelsea. Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez is on the radar of Europe’s top clubs, Spanish daily newspaper AS revealed on Thursday. The centre-back, who can also play on either side of a back four, has been patiently waiting for his chance at Santiago Bernabeu and he made no less than 19 first team appearances last season. His strong displays at the back did not go unnoticed as a number of top European sides have expressed their interest in his services. AS has learned that Porto, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke are all keeping close tabs on the highly rated defender. However, it would appear as though Nacho will not be leaving Santiago Bernabeu any time soon as he signed a new four-year deal last summer. And with the player coming through the youth ranks at Real Madrid, it is hardly surprising he aims to remain with los Merengues for as long as possible. --------------------------------------------- Real’s Nacho in high demand Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez is on the radar of Europe’s top clubs, Spanish daily newspaper AS revealed on Thursday. The centre-back, who can also play on either side of a back four, has been patiently waiting for his chance at Santiago Bernabeu and he made no less than 19 first team appearances last season. His strong displays at the back did not go unnoticed as a number of top European sides have expressed their interest in his services. AS has learned that Porto, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke are all keeping close tabs on the highly rated defender. However, it would appear as though Nacho will not be leaving Santiago Bernabeu any time soon as he signed a new four-year deal last summer. And with the player coming through the youth ranks at Real Madrid, it is hardly surprising he aims to remain with los Merengues for as long as possible.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 23:07:38 +0000