Juventus confirm interest in Jovetic; Marseille full-back nearing Chelsea move

Juventus confirm interest in Jovetic

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta has confirmed reports linking the Bianconeri with a move for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic.

The Old Lady have been very active in the summer transfer window, having already signed Mauricio Isla, Kwadwo Asamoah and Sebastian Giovinco, but they are still looking for a high-profile centre forward.

During the last few weeks, the Bianconeri were heavily linked with a move for unsettled Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic and Beppe Marotta now confirms there is truth in the rumours.

“Jovetic? He’s a player at Fiorentina that we like, whose profile responds to what we are looking out for, for our objectives, but from here we will talk about transfers as they happen,” Marotta told Sky Sport 24.

“That’s all I can say out of respect for Fiorentina.”

Viola are desperate to keep hold of their prized asset, but they are willing to negotiate a deal if a club offer €30 million for the Montenegrin forward.

The 22-year-old is disappointed by the lack of ambition shown by Fiorentina and he is open to a move to a big European club.

Marseille full-back nearing Chelsea move

French newspaper La Provence reports that Chelsea are closing in on Marseille defender Cesar Azpilicueta.

The Spanish defender is set to take part in the 2012 London Olympics having been selected by coach Luis Milla and it looks as though he could remain in England even after the tournament is over.

According to La Provence, the 22-year-old is seriously thinking about leaving Marseille for English Premier League.

The player, who has two years left on his deal at Velodrome, is followed by Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool, but the French newspaper claims the Blues are leading the race at the moment.

The Stamford Bridge outfit are searching for a new right-back after Jose Bosingwa was allowed to leave on a free and they believe Azpilicueta would be a great addition to the squad.

The talented defender has been one of just a few bright spots in Marseille’s otherwise disappointing season, but he is now ready to search for a new challenge.

Despite his fragile age, Azpilicueta already has five seasons of top flight experience behind him, which is one of the reasons why Chelsea are so keen.

Caen confirm Arsenal offer for Niang

French Ligue 2 side Caen have confirmed Arsenal have made an official bid for youngster M’Baye Niang.

The Normandy club gave the player permission to go on trial with Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, but they later denied the Gunners had made an offer for the player’s services.

The situation appears to have changed over the last few days as Caen chairman Jean-Francois Fortin has now confirmed an official bid has arrived.

“It is not insulting but it is not yet quite what we want,” Fortin said to Ouest-France.

The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European football and he already has two seasons in the top flight behind him.

The player has a contract until June 2014 at Stade Michel d’Ornano, but he has expressed his desire to leave the club after Caen were relegated to Ligue 2.

While being a huge talent, Niang is still pretty rough around the edges, although if anyone can turn him into a world-class striker it is Arsene Wenger.

For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2012/13 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.