Juventus Group

Late Vidal sent home by Chile

2011-11-10T06:47:00.000+01:00

Arturo Vidal is on his way back to Juventus after he and four teammates were sent home from the Chilean national squad for breaking a curfew.

Vidal – along with Jean Beuasejour, Jorge Valdivia, Gonzalo Jara andCarmona – were given permission to leave Chile’s training base to attend the christening of Valdivia’s children.

However, as part of the agreement, the five men were told that they had to get back to their training base for 10pm local time. They reportedly didn’t get back until 10.45pm.

As punishment for their lateness, boss Claudio Borghi has taken the decision to throw them out of the squad and replace them with five players from the Chilean championship.

The South American side are currently preparing for their two World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay.

Source: Football-Italia

Matri and Osvaldo hit hat-tricks

2011-11-10T06:45:00.002+01:00

Alessandro Matri and Daniel Pablo Osvaldo both scored hat-tricks in a practice match during Italy training on Wednesday.

Azzurri boss Cesare Prandelli is looking for a new striking partnership after losing Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi for the next six months.

Cassano of Milan is recovering from minor heart surgery, while the Villarreal ace went under the knife to resolve knee ligament damage.

It is believed that former Fiorentina Coach Prandelli would start with aGiampaolo Pazzini-Mario Balotelli strike-force in Friday’s friendly against Poland.

However, Matri and Osvaldo proved to be in fine form at Coverciano earlier today after the Juventus and Roma strikers netted a treble apiece.

Matri has been brought back into the set-up by the tactician, while Osvaldowon his first Azzurri cap last month in the 3-0 win over Northern Ireland.

The 10-a-side match took place without Andrea Ranocchia of Inter andJuventus’ Andrea Barzagli because of their physical problems.

The Azzurri will fly out to Poland on Thursday afternoon.

Source: Football-Italia

Happy Birthday Del Piero

2011-11-10T06:23:00.000+01:00

Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero will celebrate his 37th birthday at the club today – his last as a Bianconeri player.

The 2006 World Cup winner joined the Old Lady in 1993 after impressing inSerie B with little Padova.

Juve President Andrea Agnelli confirmed recently that the forward would be leaving the outfit once his contract expires in June 2012.

Juventus have today posted a special video of the player’s greatest strikes for the club on their official website. The video can also be viewed below.

Source: Football-Italia

Proceedings in Naples. Official Company note

2011-11-10T06:15:00.000+01:00

Today’s decision stated Juventus’ non involvement with the matters charged. The Club was taken to the court of Naples as civilly liable entity by way of objective liability according to Art. 2049 Italian Civil Code. The decision emerged from the result of a thorough hearing and from the analysis of all evidences, clashed with the reality of an inaccurate sports law which severely penalized Juventus, the sole club damaged due to the removal of two titles - following the victories achieved on the pitch - with consequent relegation and related extensive losses. Juventus will continue their legitimate campaigns in order to restore the equality of treatment.

Source: Juventus.com

BoD approves the Interim Management Statements

2011-11-10T06:12:00.001+01:00

The Board of Directors of Juventus Football Club S.p.A. chaired by Andrea Agnelli today approved the Interim Management Statements at 30 September 2011 for the first quarter of the 2011/2012 financial year closed at 30 September 2011.
Press Release

Source: Juventus.com

Juventus 'not involved in Calciopoli'

2011-11-10T06:09:00.000+01:00

Juventus claim the civil trial confirmed the club’s “non-involvement” with theCalciopoli events.

Former director general Luciano Moggi was found guilty of sporting fraud by the Naples Tribunal today, while Juve had their appeal for damages rejected.

“Today’s decision stated Juventus’ non involvement with the matters charged,” read a statement. “The Club was taken to the court of Naples as civilly liable entity by way of objective liability according to Art. 2049 Italian Civil Code.

“The decision emerged from the result of a thorough hearing and from the analysis of all evidences, clashed with the reality of an inaccurate sports law which severely penalized Juventus, the sole club damaged due to the removal of two titles - following the victories achieved on the pitch - with consequent relegation and related extensive losses.

“Juventus will continue their legitimate campaigns in order to restore the equality of treatment.”

Source: Football-Italia

Moggi guilty in Calciopoli civil trial

2011-11-10T06:06:00.000+01:00

The Naples Tribunal has ruled Luciano Moggi is guilty of sporting fraud and condemned to five years and four months.

This evening the Calciopoli civil trial came to a head with Judge TeresaCasoria giving her verdict.

Moggi had argued he was “not just one devil in a sea of angels,” but rather that other clubs, including Inter, behaved the same way as the formerJuventus director general in trying to ‘protect’ themselves with referees.

Although Moggi is condemned with a prison sentence of five years and four months, he will not actually spend any time in a cell due to the Italian laws.

This is also only the first degree of the justice system, so there are many more levels of appeal.

The trial did not only involve Moggi, but also Fiorentina owners Diego and Andrea Della Valle and Lazio President Claudio Lotito, who were all found guilty and condemned to one year and three months.

Former refereeing designators Paolo Bergamo and Pierluigi Pairetto, plus ex-referee Massimo De Santis were found guilty, while Lecce, Bologna, Brescia, Atalanta and the consumers’ society have the right to damages.

Juventus had their request for damages rejected by the Tribunal.

The reasons behind this ruling will be released in 90 days. Moggi’s lawyers have already announced they will appeal.

Source: Football-Italia

Barzagli to miss Poland-Italy

2011-11-10T05:58:00.000+01:00

Andrea Barzagli picked up a muscular problem in training today and should miss Friday’s friendly with Poland.

The Juventus defender pulled up during the training session at Covercianoand has pulled a muscle in his thigh.

It is not thought to be a serious injury, but Barzagli will not be risked against Poland on Friday evening.

He could well be back for next week’s test against Uruguay at the Stadio Olimpico.

Source: Football-Italia

Motta '100 per cent' staying at Juve

2011-06-11T10:26:00.000+02:00

Marco Motta’s agent is “100 per cent” confident that Juventus will make his move permanent.

The full-back spent this season in Turin on loan from Udinese along with Simone Pepe and their future is yet to be decided.

“Juventus have already set out a plan to buy Motta out on a permanent basis. The Bianconeri will sign him from Udinese, I am 100 per cent sure of that,” Giuseppe Bozzo told SportItalia.

There were question marks after a poor campaign and reported interest from Liga side Malaga.

“Sometimes these rumours reach the media before us agents. I cannot confirm any links with Malaga.”

Source: Football-Italia

The seemingly endless wait for Juventus

2011-06-10T20:42:00.000+02:00

By: Adam Digby | Backpagefootball

He cuts a confident figure, standing between Gigi Buffon and Luca Toni, proudly singing ‘fratelli d’Italia’ and, as the music ends, he follows his countrymen, shaking hands with first the officials and then some very familiar opponents. Men he has played alongside, team-mates past and present, some even close friends, until he reaches the last man. A quick embrace that signifies a closer bond than most, and then off he goes, ready to take part in what would be undoubtedly the biggest game of his career.

Sadly, as much as the gesture signified the start of the 2006 World Cup Final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, that affectionate moment was also the beginning of a wait that continues to this day. Gianluca Zambrotta and Lillian Thuram were both superb that warm German evening, as they had been over the previous five years, two incredible men who’s consistency and talent fully befitted a club that had been home to some of world football’s best fullbacks since the birth of the position.

Of course the following events of that very same summer saw both protagonists leave the club for Barcelona as the club and its players made the necessary changes following the forced relegation of la vecchia Signora. Alessio Secco has been criticised often and by countless people for his ‘transfer strategy’ – many would even go so far as to call that an oxymoron – and nowhere is that more glaringly obvious than with these two positions.

Clearly the first way to assess this is to look at the men he left behind, namely Zdenek Grygera, Jonathan Zebina and Fabio Grosso. Aging, on hugely inflated contracts and simply not up to the standards set by those who had worn the Bianconeri number two and three shirts. It is beyond debate that they are no where near the level of illustrious names like Antonello Cuccureddu, Antonio Cabrini and Ciro Ferrara to name but three of their predecessors.

As poor as those three squad members were, it is hard to argue against the fact that Beppe Marotta – who succeeded Secco last May – has also failed to find adequate solutions. Gigi Delneri seemed to have full faith in Paolo De Ceglie and was rewarded with the best spell of the Primavera products career before injury struck. Armand Traoré has not been physically fit enough to have a regular run in the team to make a final judgement, but the Frenchman certainly has not shown anything like the standard required.

The emergence of the Danish youngster Frederik Sørensen is, while of huge credit to the scouting abilities of Fabio Paratici, more a reflection on the complete failure of Marco Motta since his arrival from Udinese this past summer. The former Roma man has been woeful in almost every facet of his game – positionally, tactically and mentally weak, he has been so poor that the only scenario in which Juventus may exercise the option on his purchase is to sell him on elsewhere. That the price is only €3.75 million over three equal annual payments shows just how bad his displays have been.

Looking around Serie A there is a dearth of top quality full-backs, as Milan’s regular use of Luca Antonini and Marek Jankulovski serves to highlight. Of the bigger clubs perhaps only Inter, with their combination of Maicon and Yuto Nagatomo, have what could even be considered an adequate duo. Yet this season there is undoubtedly a stand out pairing lower down the league – Federico Balzaretti and Mattia Cassani of Palermo. Despite the Sicilian sides woes in the latter part of 2010-11, both have played their way into the starting line-up of the Italian national team through some stunning performances.

Born just twenty months and 90 kilometers apart the two share another common trait that sits uncomfortably with any of the clubs fans aware of their career paths. When Calciopoli forced the departures of Zambrotta and Thuram, both members of the current Rosanero squad were owned by Juventus. This means that not only did Secco fail summarily to find a solution, he actually sold two of the best players on the Peninsula this term.

Balzaretti joined the Old Lady on a free transfer in 2005 following the bankruptcy of Torino, following another iconic Bianconeri fullback – Champions League winner Gianluca Pessotto – in moving across town. He followed a solid first twelve months under Fabio Capello (starting 20 games) with an impressive season in Serie B as Didier Deschamps masterminded a swift return to the top flight. Just as it seemed an answer had been found Secco then sold ‘Balzac’ to Fiorentina for just €3.8m in one of his most inexplicable moves.

Yet if that was foolhardy, it pales in comparison to the treatment of Cassani, a product of the clubs immensely successful youth sector. He made his one and only first team appearance whilst still a member of a Primavera side that would go on to lift the Viareggio Tournament twice. Coming on as a late substitute for Marcello Salas in a Champions League tie away to Dynamo Kyiv, he was then sent on loan to gain experience, first to Sampdoria then to Hellas Verona.

That second move would be perfect for the player, and the Gialloblu took over half his registration on a co-ownership deal for €400,000, ensuring they would see at least some fiscal reward for giving him 118 games to improve his emerging talent. In 2006 however Secco would make a huge error, selling the remaining half for a mere €1.425m. That means the former Sporting Director effectively sold the Azzurri’s starting fullbacks for a combined €5.625m.

Whatever the reasons for Secco’s mistakes – and the compounding of them by Marotta – two things now seem certain. Firstly, none of the names to have so far followed Zambrotta and Thuram into the positions will be gracing a major final, and more importantly, until the starting slots are covered by quality players, neither will Juventus.

The wait continues.

Conte determined to bring Sebastian Giovinco back to Juventus for next season

2011-06-10T19:41:00.000+02:00

The highly-rated attacker is keen to stay at Parma this summer, but the Juventus coach is hopeful of luring him back to Turin

Newly-appointed Juventus coach Antonio Conte is determined to bring tricky attacker Sebastian Giovinco back to Turin ahead of the 2011-12 campaign, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

The 24-year-old left Juve for Parma on a one-year loan deal with the option to buy 50 per cent of the player's rights for a fee of €3.5 million, in the summer of 2010. The versatile attacker impressed in his first season with the Ennio Tardini outfit, scoring seven goals in 30 Serie A appearances, and Parma are widely expected to execute their option to sign Giovinco on a co-ownership deal.Nevertheless, Conte has not given up hope yet of luring the Italy international back to the club as the tactician sees Giovinco as an important part in his plans for next season, and is ready to offer towering attacker Amauri to Parma in an attempt to convince them to allow the frontman to return to Turin. However, Conte faces a difficult task to persuade Giovinco to become part of his Juventus project, as the forward recently expressed his desire to stay with Parma.

Source: Goal.com

Amauri unclear of future

2011-06-10T19:27:00.000+02:00

Amauri has yet to be told what Juventus will do with him over the summer, his representative has stated.

The Italian striker has spent the last six months on loan at Parma where he has re-found his scoring touch.

Reports this morning claimed that Juve would offer him to Parma in order for the Gialloblu to not take up their co-ownership option on Sebastian Giovinco.

“We still haven’t met with Juventus,” Giampiero Pocetta told Calciomercato.it. “Only after that happens will we know a little more as to what is likely to occur.

“I read in the newspapers that Amauri is available for transfer, but the Bianconeri have not officially told me so.

“Seeing that he has just a year left on his contract, I think the player’s own wishes will be a key factor in what happens.”

Fiorentina and Lazio have also been paired with the Brazilian-born forward who made his debut for Italy this season.

Source: Football-Italia

Sorensen selected for Danish Under-21s

2011-06-10T14:26:00.001+02:00

Frederik Sorensen has been called up by head coach Keld Bordinggaard for the UEFA European Under-21 championships, to be played in his home country. The Danish defender, 19, will join up with the squad for the 18th staging of the tournament.

The host nation will first be in action on 11th June, facing Switzerland in Aalborg for their opening game of Group A. Three days later, Denmark will meet Belarus in Aarhus before ending their group fixtures on 18th June against Iceland in Aalborg. The semi-finals are scheduled for 22nd June, with the final to be contested on the 25th.

Group B is made up of England, Czech Republic, Spain and Ukraine.

Source: Juventus.com

What a season, Frederik!

2011-06-10T14:24:00.001+02:00

Frederik Sorensen’s selection for the European Under 21 Championships, to be played in his home country of Denmark, is the perfect way to cap off a fine season. The young defender has enjoyed an unforgettable first campaign with the Bianconeri.

Arriving from Lyngby in the summer, a side recently promoted to the Danish top flight, Sorensen joined up with Giovanni Bucaro’s Primavera. His return from injury and first games with the youth team put him in the spotlight, attracting the attention of Luigi Del Neri and his staff.

Whilst initially providing cover for injured defenders, he began to train competently with the first team and did not have to wait long to make his debut. On Sunday 7th November, Cesena travelled to the Olympic Stadium, which also hosted the celebration of the 50 Bianconeri legends for the ‘Light a Star’ initiative. Sorensen was in Del Neri’s starting line-up, at 18 years old and not as a central defender but as a right-back. Despite playing out of position and in front of many legends in the stands, he displayed the composure of a veteran. Juventus won 3-1, making his debut even more special.

The game against Cesena was the first of 18 matches played by the Dane in his first professional season. Many of these came facing top opponents such as Milan, Inter, Roma, Lazio and up against quality strikers. Sorensen also had the joy of providing the assist for Alessandro Matri’s winning goal against Inter.

The defender has gained plenty of his experience so far in Torino, experience that will be taken into these European Under 21 Championships, Sorensen’s first major international tournament.

Source: Juventus.com

Melo: Juventus then Spain…

2011-06-10T14:19:00.000+02:00

Felipe Melo says he is happy at Juventus, but admits he would one day like to again play in Spain. “England would be my last option.”

The Brazilian international moved to Europe in 2005 when he was snapped up by Liga outfit Mallorca.

He remained in the country for three years and also appeared for Racing Santander and Almeria before joining Fiorentina in 2008.

“I have a real desire to return to Spain, but that dream is still a long way off because I have a contract with Juventus,” he told Globoesporte.

“However, in football, you can never say never because everything can change in an instant.

“It all depends on Juventus and the decisions of their directors on whether to put me on the transfer market or not.

“England? That would be my last option.”

Melo joined the Old Lady in 2009 for almost €25m. It’s unclear whether he features in the plans of new boss Antonio Conte.

The World Cup player has been associated with a move to Real Madrid in the past as boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be an admirer.

Source: Football-Italia

Lazio: Lichtsteiner costs €12m

2011-06-10T14:15:00.000+02:00

Claudio Lotito has dismissed suggestions that he has agreed to sell Stephan Lichtsteiner to Juventus.

Reports yesterday claimed that an agreement of around €10m had been reached, but that has surprised the capital President.

“A deal with Juventus? I’m not aware of that and I’m the one who has to sign the papers,” stated Lotito.

“There is a release clause in his contract that will allow the player to leave and I’ve reminded everyone of that.

“It’s Lazio’s intention to keep him, but we respect him and we’d like to make him happy if it fits in with his contract situation and if we can find a replacement.”

The Swiss international, whose agreement runs until 2013, can be released from his contract if a club offers €12m for his services.

Lazio could attempt to replace Lichtsteiner with Genoa full-back Abdoulay Konko if the player does leave the Stadio Olimpico.

Source: Football-Italia

Tug of war for Giovinco

2011-06-10T14:11:00.000+02:00

Parma have once again reiterated that Sebastian Giovinco will still be playing for them next season – but Juventus may want him back.

“We’ve said it in every language that we know,” Parma sporting director Pietro Leonardi noted. “Giovinco will be ours and will play with us.”

The Italian international has spent the last season at the Stadio Tardini after joining the club on loan from Juventus.

As part of the agreement, the Gialloblu have the option to sign a 50 per cent share in him for a pre-agreed €3.5m.

“I think that I will remain at Parma,” the player himself said last month. “President Tommaso Ghirardi and Leonardi have been quite clear about it.

“Unless there are some radical changes to the plans, then I am 99 per cent sure of remaining here.

“Juventus were very clear with me. They told me that I wasn’t a part of their project and it is better for me to stay at Parma. I don’t want to make the same mistake I did a few years ago.”

However, reports this morning are suggesting that new Juve boss Antonio Conte wants the attacker at his disposal next term.

As a result, Juve may be willing to hand Parma the services of Amauri, who also spent time on loan at Parma this term, with the understanding that they don’t take up their option on Giovinco.

Source: Football-Italia

Juve seal Matri deal

2011-06-10T14:08:00.001+02:00

Juventus have reportedly agreed a deal with Cagliari to keep striker Alessandro Matri in Turin.

The new Italian international arrived at Juve on loan in January with an option to buy fee fixed at €15.5m.

After a series of talks between the two clubs, it is being suggested that a compromise has been reached.

Juve will hand over an undisclosed amount of money plus Luca Marrone, Cristian Pasquato and Ciro Immobile for the forward.

Matri, formerly of Milan, was a massive success at the Stadio Olimpico after he scored nine goals in 16 games for the Bianconeri.

Although the deal has yet to be officially confirmed, Pasquato is already talking like a Rossoblu player.

“I’m hearing the news from you,” he told Sportitalia. “It will be an honour to play in Serie A with Cagliari. I’m extremely satisfied.”

Pasquato, a product of the club’s youth system like Marrone and Immobile, spent this term on loan in Serie B with Modena.

Source: Football-Italia

Buffon, best goalkeeper of the last 10 years

2011-01-05T20:23:00.000+01:00

Waiting to find his place among posts again (it will happen next Thursday in Coppa Italia), Gigi Buffon lived another important day. He received the nth award for his career. The “Istituto Internazionale di Storia e Statistica del Calcio” (IFFHS) designated him as last decade’s best goalkeeper.

Buffon, who has been elected year’s best goalkeeper on four out of these ten years, was ahead of Casillas, Cech, Van Der Sar and Kahn.

Source: Juventus.com

Del Neri postpones Buffon comeback

2011-01-05T20:18:00.006+01:00

Gigi Del Neri insists Gianluigi Buffon will have to wait a little longer before making his comeback for Juventus.

The Italy international goalkeeper has yet to play this season after undergoing major back surgery in the summer.

Buffon recently returned to training and some reports claimed he would be ready for Thursday's encounter with Parma.

However, Del Neri feels Buffon needs more time to fully recuperate, meaning his comeback could be postponed until Juventus' clash with Catania in the Coppa Italia on January 13.

“Through speaking with Buffon we have rescheduled his comeback for the Coppa Italia. It's the right path to take and the right time too,” Del Neri said.

“The Coppa Italia will be an important game both in which to verify his fitness and for me to decide the future of Juventus' goal.

“At the end of the transfer window both Storari and Buffon will still be at Juventus.

“The club has no intention to deprive itself of either of the two.”

Source: Football-Italia

Juve to offer Del Piero a director's role

2011-01-05T19:58:00.001+01:00

Juventus would like Alessandro Del Piero to become a director in a gradual phasing out of his playing career, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 37-year-old is out of contract in the summer and it now appears likely that the two parties will sit down to discuss his future at the beginning of March.

Del Piero has shown no signs of relenting this season, making more appearances than any other Juventus player.

He has played in 26 of their 28 games, averaging 55 minutes per match.

However, considering his age, Juventus are obliged to be realistic when negotiating the terms of a new deal.

The idea would be that of renewing Del Piero's contract, although with a series of key guidelines.

Juventus have in mind a gradual phasing out of Del Piero with the veteran initially to continue playing.

He would then become Gigi Del Neri's right-hand man, before possibly accepting a role as the club's ambassador.

Source: Football-Italia

Aquilani: «Good omens for 2011»

2011-01-04T18:15:00.000+01:00

Holidays are now far. The pitch is calling and also Juventus is ready to mean business again. Soccer 2011 will start immediately fast for Del Neri’s team: Parma and Napoli in three days. Two key engagements to allow the bianconeri to close first leg at best and keep on being among the protagonists of the season’s second half.

180 minutes to be lived and be considered very important in soccer environment. To prove it, Alberto Aquilani. The midfielder was guest at Juventus Channel to record “Protagonisti” show episode. On this occasion, he also spoke about the team’s moment: «Holidays are now far. We started working hard immediately, to be ready. We are trustful, there are all good omens to do well».

We ended the old year playing vs. a gialloblu team (Chievo), and we’ll start the new one playing vs. a gialloblu team (Parma). We must start from recovering the two points Juventus lost in Verona: «That was tough – Alberto goes on -, thought we already won, after having played a good match, on such a difficult ground. Final draw left a bad taste in our mouth. Now we’ll have to start doing our best vs. Parma, an opponent who can count on quality players».

Parma and immediately after, Napoli. San Paolo big match is close to the one on the Epiphany. Another reason to make things difficult at restart. But Aquilani is sure: «The first match is always tricky because it arrives after a period of relax. This is why we worked a lot on concentration. Thursday match is very important and we cannot rebuff it, we’ll then think about Napoli with calm. We all know this is an important week, which can make us understand who we are and how far we can go. We are still far from the end, but these six points will be definitely determinant».

Source: Juventus.com

Agent: 'Juve and Real want Bale'

2011-01-04T18:00:00.000+01:00

Tottenham star Gareth Bale’s former agent “can confirm interest from Juventus for June, while Real Madrid are trying to sign him in January.”

An interview with Il Sussidiario suggested Peppino Tirri was making a very clear outline of the situation, but he told Calciomercato.it that “I was speaking as a FIFA agent who is very active in England, but I no longer represent Bale and haven’t worked with his agency for months.”

Having made that point clear, Tirri’s interview gave some intriguing insights into the future of the Champions League revelation.

“I can confirm interest from Juventus, but we are talking about June and certainly not January,” he told ilsussidiario.net.

“Milan and Inter have also shown an interest in the Welsh player, especially as Bale would like to play in Italy soon. I’d say there’s a good chance of it happening, but more likely in June, as it’d be very difficult for the Italian sides to take him in the transfer window.

“Real Madrid would be the only club capable of signing Bale in January, especially as they are really trying very hard to make it happen. Jose Mourinho has set his sights on him and wants to take him straight away, otherwise the conversation will resume in June.”

Source: Football-Italia

Official: Juve's Lanzafame to Brescia

2011-01-04T17:55:00.000+01:00

Davide Lanzafame has officially joined Brescia on loan and publicly blamed Gigi Del Neri for his lack of playing time at Juventus.

The attacking winger completed the temporary transfer this evening, as confirmed by the Bianconeri website, and will stay at the Stadio Rigamonti until June 30.

“I can’t wait to get started with Brescia,” he told SportItalia. “I already know a few people in the side and am at the Coach’s disposal.”

The 23-year-old was expected to play a bigger part in the Juventus season, but found himself on the bench or in the stands.

“It was Del Neri’s decision. The Coach and the club decided to release me. I’m happy anyway, as I feel that Brescia can escape relegation.”

Source: Football-Italia

Report: Juve close deal for Piazon

2011-01-04T17:48:00.000+01:00

Juventus have done a deal for Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Piazon, according to FIFA agent Sabatino Durante.

The 16-year-old is highly regarded in South America and has already been nicknamed the 'new Kaka'.

“Juventus have already closed [a deal for Piazon],” Durante explained in an interview with Tuttosport.

“The problem is that the boy can't come to Italy until he is 18.

“Lucas will be 17 in a few days' time, but his family has venetian orgins: if an Italian passport arrives, he could arrive in Turin in June.

“In any case, he is a fantastic player, a chosen one.

“He is one of those talents who are born every 50 years.

“He is a second striker who could play for any team in Europe. He is a really strong player.”

Source: Football-Italia