Mancini in Juve negotiations?
Tuesday 30 August, 2005
There are reports that Amantino Mancini has been spotted in Juve’s offices to discuss a shock transfer that could send Adrian Mutu to Roma.
The Brazilian winger was seen in Milan this evening along with agent Gilmar Veloz and several Bianconeri directors, sparking reports that he is in negotiations with the Bianconeri.
Coach Fabio Capello has already brought his former Roma players Emerson and Jonathan Zebina to Turin and has also been linked with bids for Antonio Cassano and Olivier Dacourt.
While the Press has been concentrating on the fate of Cassano, it seems that Mancini could be the most likely to make the move up North.
The former Venezia midfielder had also been linked with Inter and Real Madrid, but it’s claimed he could be part of a massive swap deal with Juventus.
While Mancini, Dacourt and Cassano would go to the Stadio Delle Alpi, Adrian Mutu, Federico Balzaretti and Giorgio Chiellini are tipped for the opposite journey.
There are also rumours that Juve could sign David Di Michele from Udinese in order to hand him over to Roma for a reunion with ex-Friuli Coach Luciano Spalletti. A less costly option would be Mario Jimenez, who is currently at Serie B outfit Ternana.
“There are no negotiations with Juventus and we have not planned any meetings with them, not even for Cassano,” insisted Roma director of sport Daniele Prade’. “I did speak to Mancini and his agent, but only about family matters.”
Roma also released a statement officially denying that Mancini was on the market and assuring that, “He is a crucial member of the first team.”
Meanwhile, the Giallorossi are close to signing Brazilian goalkeeper Doni from Juventude, while Juventus have loaned Igor Tudor out to Siena. The Croatian international had spent half of last year at the club and returns after finding no space in Turin.