Anzhi confirm interest in Gaitan; Milan linked to Luca Cigarini

Anzhi confirm interest in Gaitan

Russian Premier League side Anzhi have confirmed they are interested in signing Benfica forward Nicolas Gaitan.

The Argentine winger is one of the most sought-after footballers in Europe and is widely tipped to leave Estadio da Luz in the near future.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo recently reported that free-spending Anzhi were showing interest in the 24-year-old, with club’s sporting director Roberto Carlos admitting the Russians are keen on Gaitan.

“There was a conversation in the summer, but then came a lot of agents, not the player, and we decided to pull out,” Roberto Carlos told O Jogo.

“Now, the interest remains and there may be something in January.”

Nicolas Gaitan joined Benfica from Boca Juniors in the summer of 2010 and has since scored 10 goals in 53 league appearances for the Eagles.

Roberto Carlos has also confirmed interest in Benfica midfielder Bruno Cesar and Sporting Lisbon star Elias.

Milan linked to Luca Cigarini

Serie A giants Milan are pondering a January bid for Napoli midfielder Luca Cigarini, according to La Stampa.

Following the dismal start to the season, the Rossoneri are desperate to reinforce the squad in January and they are ready to reignite their interest in the talented midfielder.

Luca Cigarini is currently on loan at Atalanta from Napoli, but the Azzurri are ready to cash in on the player and get back at least some of the money invested in him.

The 26-year-old, who was once considered one of Italy’s hottest prospects, has managed to kick-start his career in Bergamo, with his impressive showings for Orobici not going unnoticed by top Italian clubs.

Milan boss Max Allegri is eager to sign a high-quality central midfielder in January and with the chances of signing Kevin Strootman from PSV looking bleak, he is likely to turn his attention towards Cigarini.

The player, who is also followed by Fiorentina, is valued at €6 million by the San Paolo outfit.

Real Madrid target signs new deal

Borussia Dortmund have announced on their official website that full-back Lukasz Piszczek has extended his contract at the club.

The Polish defender has been in scintillating form over the last year or so, attracting interest from top European clubs in the process.

Real Madrid were thought to be preparing a bid for his services, but the Bundesliga champions decided to act and managed to tie down the player to a new long-term deal.

Lukasz Piszczek, who was also paired with Chelsea and Manchester United, has signed a new contract until June 2017.

The 27-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer from Hertha in the summer of 2010 and quickly developed into an important member of the side at Signal Iduna Park.

Since joining the club two years ago, Piszczek has made 72 Bundesliga appearances for the Millionaires, and scored 5 goals in the process.

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