Amauri and Juventus

Old Lady's Amauri anxiety continues
Friday 16 May, 2008

Another meeting between Amauri and Juventus had ended without a deal being completed, but his agent insists that an agreement is close.

The Brazilian hitman’s future still looks likely to be with the Old Lady, but Milan and Real Madrid are still fighting for his services.

Juve had hoped to shake hands on a deal during talks between Amauri, his agent Mariano Grimaldi and Bianconeri director Jean-Claude Blanc in Turin last night, but there is still work to be done.

“We are taking a pause to reflect until next Tuesday,” Grimaldi told journalists.

“We need some time to think things over and I will leave the player to decide. But we are much closer to an agreement after the evening’s meeting.”

Despite his assertion that he would rather play in Italy than Spain, Amauri is expected to listen to an offer from Real Madrid this weekend.

But Juve’s main rivals for the 27-year-old are Milan and Amauri is believed to be waiting until Sunday to see whether or not the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League before he makes his decision.

“Even without the Champions League, Milan have a phenomenal squad,” the player insisted on Sky Sport Italia.

“They have great champions like Kaka, who won the Ballon d’Or.

“Italy would lose a lot if Milan were to fail to qualify for the Champions League. The Rossoneri have always represented this country brilliantly in Europe.”

The former Chievo man also discussed his chances of playing for the Azzurri when he receives his Italian passport.

“I am anxiously awaiting the passport, but I think that it wouldn’t be right to go to Euro 2008, even if it came tomorrow,” he said.

“I say that because Roberto Donadoni has created a well-defined group and I haven’t been part of that, not even for a friendly.”

*channel4