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Paper Talk: AC Milan eye unhappy Italian striker, Juve want Chelsea defender
The Italian hit-man has been failing to get regular game time under Maurizio Sarri so far this season and is reportedly looking for an escape route from the San Paolo where he failed to get regular game time despite the injury of Arkadiusz Milik.
Sarri usually plays Dries Mertens as false nine instead of the former Sampdoria man who saw Napoli rejecting an offer of € 30 million for him in January 2016.
Gabbiadini, 25, has only scored two goals in 14 appearances so far this season and his contract with Napoli expires in June 2019. With AC Milan pondering selling both Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano in January, the Italian striker could be the answer to Montella’s needs.
Meantime, Juventus must deal with an injury crisis that has hit their players, especially the defenders. Dani Alves has been ruled out for four months, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli for two and Giorgio Chiellini has been struggling with injuries since the beginning of the current campaign.
That’s why, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A table leaders want to knock Antonio Conte’s Chelsea door to sound out the availability of Branislav Ivanovic, 32, who has just six months left in his contract with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
Ivanovic’s versatility combined with his availability to play the Champions League and his low price tag would make him a perfect addition for Juventus that will be looking for a younger centre-back in the 2017 summer transfer window.
AND THE REST
Paulo Dybala will sing a contract extension with Juventus until 2021 (Gazzetta)
Maurizio Zamparini has confirmed trust in under-fire Palermo boss Roberto De Zerbi (various)
Juventus are interested in signing Steven N’Zonzi and Corentin Tolisso in January (Tuttosport)
AC Milan consider signing Mateo Musacchio and Sebastien Rudy if the Chinese consortium fails to complete the club’s takeover by January (Tuttosport)
