Aqua in Juve talks?

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani looks set to leave Anfield in the summer, after Italian publication La Gazzetta Dello Sport claimed the Italian international has entered negotiations for a permanent switch to Juventus.

Aquilani is already on loan at Serie A side Juventus, reigniting his international career after a difficult spell in England. Aquilani has made no secret of his desire to stay in Italy, and his loan club are on the verge of agreeing a deal despite the two sides disagreeing on his valuation.

Juventus have the option to sign Aquilani for €16.5 million when his loan spell finishes, but reports in Italy are suggesting that the Turin club are only willing to bid €12 million for his services.

The Italian side have now asked Liverpool to drop their asking price as they attempt to make the deal permanent. As well as asking the club to drop their asking price, Juventus are also having to negotiate with Aquilani over the players wages as they cannot afford his current demands which is believed to be around £3m per year.

Arriving at Anfield in 2009 for a fee believed to be £17 million, Aquilani struggled to recapture the form in England that had initiated his switch to Liverpool. A succession of injuries left him on the fringes of the first team, whilst his return to Italy has helped him regain his position in the national team.

Aquilani's agent believes the Italian will agree a permanent move to Juventus, and the player agrees that his future remains back in his homeland.

"Juve has the priority and I don't think they will let him escape," agent Franco Zavaglia claimed about the ongoing negotiations.

"On June 30 Juventus will be able to buy Aquilani and they should act now," Zavaglia continued. "They could sign him by making three to four delayed payments; a system which was established last summer.

"The agreement between Liverpool and Juventus is already there. It all depends on the willingness of Juventus. Maybe Juventus want to save something and Liverpool do not want to lose anything. But there is an expiration date, everything is organised.

"I think Aquilani will stay at Juventus and there will not be any obstacles."

Aquilani confirmed that the deal is in the process of being agreed, claiming that he was hopeful both clubs could hammer out a deal when the time arrives.

"There is a price fixed for Juve to acquire me at the end of the season, and the club has to evaluate the situation but I would like to stay," Aquilani revealed to Corriere dello Sport.

"There is an agreement, and I was aware it was a loan and that things would be dealt with in May. So, I am tranquil over my future now."

After a difficult spell in England, Aquilani has re-established himself in the Italian national team, with a string of impressive displays for the Old Lady helping his cause. Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has now insisted that his side will do all they can to seal his signature on a permanent basis.

"Aquilani has been a pleasant surprise for us because he had come from a negative period," Marotta revealed. "We are satisfied for Juventus and for the way we have seen an important player [Aquilani] get into the national team.

"It's clear that on our part there is an intention to buy him. Of course, we have an option and we will see if there is a chance to trade at the right moment with Liverpool."

Source: Sportsvibe.co.uk

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