Juventus join chase for Liverpool loaner Alberto Aquilani but Italian giants line up swap deal with Felipe MeloBy Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:04 AM on 20th August 2010
Juventus are keen to sign Alberto Aquilani after Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson cleared the £20million flop to leave Anfield on a loan deal.
However, the Serie A giants could try to tempt the Reds with a permanent transfer, offering Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo in exchange.
Hodgson signed Denmark international Christian Poulsen from Juve as a ready-made replacement for wantaway Argentina captain Javier Mascherano.
But the Italians believe there is still interest from Anfield in one-time Arsenal target Melo, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
Hodgson left Aquilani out of Liverpool's 1-0 Europa League win against Trabzonspor on Wednesday night to stop him being cup-tied and admitted a return to Italy was on the cards.
'We are considering possibly loaning him to an Italian club, but nothing is sure about that yet so I don't have anything definite to report,' said the boss after the play-off round first leg.
'I didn't want to use him (against Trabzonspor) just in case the loan goes through, because for Aquilani this year it's very important that he plays regular football, every week, as the No 1 man on the teamsheet.
'I can't promise him that here so if a loan move to Italy could help him in that respect it might be good for all parties.
'It would certainly be what he needs, it would certainly protect the value of the player and when he does return to Liverpool no doubt we will see the Aquilani that we signed before he came here injured last year.'
Aquilani was signed from Roma last summer as the replacement for Xabi Alonso, who left for Real Madrid, but the Italy midfielder never managed a regular run in the team because of injuries.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1304688/Juventus-join-chase-Liverpools-Alberto-Aquilani-line-swap-deal-Felipe-Melo.htmlMelo hardly covered himself in glory in the World Cup, appears to have quite an attitude problem and collects red cards like some people collect stamps.
We could have been a bit clever here and sent Aquilani out on loan, putting him in the Italian shop window and got Poulsen on loan in return, instead of paying a transfer fee for him.
I'd rather have Momo back rather than Melo and I'm not sure why the manager would want another defensive midfielder, even if Masch leaves. If he does, then Lassana Diarra would be a much better option and Madrid are definately looking to offload, probably at a bargain price.
It's a shame we've not managed to rid ourselves of Itandje, El Zahr and Plessis yet. Even if there's no cash, the wage savings would help.