Juve plan Aquilani talks

Posted Tuesday, April 12, 2011 by skysports.com

Serie A giants keen to land midfielder, while ruling out Buffon sale

Juve plan Aquilani talks
Aquilani: Impressed this season in Italy

Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta is confident the club can strike a deal for Alberto Aquilani.

The midfielder returned to his Italian roots last summer on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool.

Having struggled to make the grade in England, the 26-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield.

Since leaving Merseyside and heading for Turin, Aquilani has been able to steer clear of niggling knocks and rediscover his form.

Unsurprisingly, Juve are now keen for a permanent move to be made at the end of the season.

Marotta believes an agreement will be struck, but has admitted that Liverpool may need to lower their asking price should they wish to cash in on the Italy international.

Intention

"Aquilani has been a pleasant surprise, he arrived in the middle of a bad period and we are very happy with him," Marotta told Sky Italia.

"On our side there is every intention to keep him.

"At the right time we will talk with Liverpool and I believe the price is negotiable."

Marotta has also played down fresh reports suggesting World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could soon be offloaded.

He added: "There is nothing to be said on Buffon. He's our first-choice goalkeeper and has been voted the best goalkeeper in the world for the past decade.

"A contract at Roma? I hardly think that a club like Roma, who are yet to find their feet under new owners, have entered into talks with a potential signing.

"They certainly haven't spoken to us."