Milan to bid for Porto star duo; Roma keeping tabs on Jeremy Mathieu

Milan to bid for Porto star duo

Milan are readying bids for Porto stars Hulk and Fernando, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

Despite the very successful season that is likely to end with the Serie A title, Milan squad are likely to undergo certain changes in the summer.

Andrea Pirlo is likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, while few more players could follow.

Nonetheless, the Rossoneri look ready for such a scenario and they have already identified the summer targets.

Milan are reportedly pondering bid for Porto stars Hulk and Fernando, who are expected to increase competition for places at San Siro.

The club chief Ariedo Braida has watched the two players in action on numerous occasions this season and he has instructed the club management to send in an official offer for the Porto duo.

Fernando is seen as a perfect replacement for Andrea Pirlo, whereas Brazilian Hulk is expected to offer more options up front, considering that he can play just about anywhere in attack.

However, the Rossoneri could face stiff competition for the 24-year-old forward, who has a long list of suitors among the top European clubs.

Roma keeping tabs on Jeremy Mathieu

Roma have expressed interest in signing Valencia full-back Jeremy Mathieu, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Serie A side are desperate to reinforce the squad in the summer after what will have been a very disappointing season, with new owner Thomas DiBenedetto ready to invest considerable funds into new players.

Roma have now set their sights on Valencia left-back Jeremy Mathieu with a view to making a bid for his services in the summer.

The Frenchman has impressed at Mestalla after arriving from Toulouse in 2009 and is now considered one of the key players in the squad.

However, his current contract with Valencia is set to expire in 2012, meaning the los Che could decide to cash in on him so as to prevent him from leaving for free when his contract expires.

Roma already have John Arne Riise occupying the left-back spot, but with both the Norwegian and Mathieu capable of playing further up front, the Italian giants are looking to pair the two players on the left hand side.

Jeremy Mathieu’s career has been on the uptrend ever since he was handed a debut at Sochaux and taking into account his impressive performances for Valencia, there is no doubt he would be a great addition to struggling Roma.

Agent: Obinna could join Napoli

Inter forward Victor Obinna could join Napoli at the end of the season, according to his agent Valentino Nerbini.

The Nigerian is currently on loan at West Ham, but he is expected to return to Italy after losing his status of first team regular at Upton Park.

His agent has revealed that Napoli are close to securing his signature.

“Obinna hopes to come to Napoli, which is a place he has always liked,” Valentino Nerbini told Radio Crc.

“A few years ago, when Napoli’s sporting director was Marino, there was a deal in place to take him to Napoli for 5-6million euros, but then the deal broke down over problems relating to image rights.

“Now that Obinna could arrive on a free transfer, Napoli would be crazy not to take him.

“The dream is to come to Napoli, a club who are playing beautiful football at the moment.

“Obinna’s best performances this season have come in the cups, for example his display against Manchester United, but he is now paying the price of West Ham’s troubles.”

Obinna’s contract at Inter expires at the end of the season and it is highly unlikely that he will be offered a new deal t Giuseppe Meazza.

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