Juventus turn attentions to Drogba

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Juventus are considering making a move for Shanghai Shenhua's Didier Drogba in the January transfer window, Goal.com understands.

The Serie A champions have long been in the market for a new striker, and have previously been linked with Fernando Llorente and Pablo Osvaldo. Nevertheless, they have now turned their attention to the 34-year-old Drogba instead.

Drogba joined the Chinese Super League club from Chelsea in the summer transfer window, but is unhappy and keen to return to Europe.

One of the main reasons behind the striker's decision to join Shanghai was his 12 million annual salary, but the striker has been paid late more than once since his transfer, much to his dismay.

Nevertheless, the Old Lady face a difficult task to lure the Cote d'Ivoire star to Turin as they have no intention of matching his current wages. The Bianconeri are willing to offer Drogba a contract until June 2014, worth 4,5m per year plus bonuses.

Another key factor will be whether Juventus qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, with the club currently sitting only third in Group E.

Juventus take on joint leaders Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk in their remaining two games and remain in with a chance of qualification.

Ancelotti denies PSG move for Beckham

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied speculation the club are poised to complete a move to bring David Beckham to the club.

The ex-England international revealed he will seek a fresh away after playing his final game for LA Galaxy on December 1 in the MLS Cup Final against Houston Dynamo, and had been strongly linked with a move to the mega-rich Ligue 1 outfit.

However, former AC Milan and Chelsea coach Ancelotti told reporters he has no plans to sign the 37-year-old, stating: "We did not offer, good luck to him."

Bekham started his career at Manchester United where he enjoyed a rich spell of success before moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

He later moved to MLS side LA Galaxy and spent joined Serie A giants AC Milan on loan.

PSG have slumped to two recent domestic defeats but the 53-year-old is hoping they can bounce back by reaching the last-16 in the Champions League.

He added: "We're going throu gh a difficult period after two home losses. The players know that I'm not happy.

"The important thing is to get our heads up as soon as possible and tomorrow we have the opportunity to qualify for the last 16, which would be a very good thing. A point would be enough for us to get to the last 16, but we're going to play to win."

Ancelotti also revealed he is set to tinker with the sides tactics and is expecting his players to put in an improved performance when they face Dynamo Kiev.

He continued: "Certain things will change, particularly in the tactics department. The players have to take their responsibility and I have confidence in them.

"We have done good things not that long ago, and there's no reason why that won't continue."

"I speak to my players regularly, and I'm expecting a reaction against Kiev. I think that we will have a good match. Everyone has to take their responsibilities. I will take mine and the play ers have to do the same."

Signing Neymar would be a perfect marketing strategy, says Faus

Javier Faus believes signing Santos sensation Neymar would be the "perfect marketing strategy".

The Brazil international has long been linked with a move to Europe, with a number of reports suggesting a deal with Barcelona is already in place.

And although the Blaugrana vice-president has refused to comment on whether any negotiations have already been held, he did voice his opinion that the capture of Neymar would be a boost to the club's broader plans.

"Signing Neymar would be a perfect marketing strategy. Barcelona always prioritise sport over economics, though," Faus was quoted as saying by Marca.

"However, as [Andoni] Zubizarreta already said, Neymar is under contract with Santos until 2014, and we don't have anything more to say on the matter."

Neymar has also been linked with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, but the 20-year-old appears determined to remain at Peixe< /em> until after the 2014 World Cup.

AC Milan set sights on Paris Saint-Germain star Pastore

EXCLUSIVE
By Elia Raimondo

Javier Pastore could be on his way out of Paris Saint-Germain in the not too distant future, with AC Milan showing shown an interest in signing the Argentina international, Goal.com can reveal.

The San Siro side are eager to add some more creativity to their squad, and sporting director Ariedo Braida sees the 23-year-old as the perfect addition to Milan's midfield.

The attacking midfielder joined PSG from Palermo in the summer of 2011 and quickly became an important first team member at the Ligue 1 outfit. However, he has been struggling to find his best form after a superb start at the Parisiens and is no longer an undisputed starter under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

As a result, the midfielder could opt to move on again if his situation does not change, and Milan are closely monitoring developments. PSG are reluctant to sell at this point but could decide to cash in on Pastore if he fails to recapture his best form.

Although the French giants paid close to 40 million for the playmaker 15 months ago, the Rossoneri are hopeful that an offer in the region of 20m plus Ignazio Abate will suffice.

Pastore's current contract runs until June 2016.

Beckham to play final game for LA Galaxy in MLS Cup final

The MLS Cup final on December 1 will be David Beckham's final match for LA Galaxy, the club have confirmed.

The match, in which the former England captain's side will host Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Center in a repeat of last year's final, will bring to an end a five-year spell in the American game - though Beckham stressed that he intends to remain connected with the sport in USA.

"I've had an incredibly special time playing for the LA Galaxy, however, I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career," the midfielder said in a statement on the club's official website.

"I don't see this as the end of my relationship with the league as my ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future."

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) claimed on Friday that Beckham's representatives had been in contact over a switch to the A-League, though a spokesman for the player denied the links.

The former Manchester United star's arrival from Real Madrid in 2007 prompted MLS to create the Designated Player rule to allow Galaxy to spend extra money on the signing, with a view to developing the profile of football in the country.

"In my time here I have seen the popularity of the game grow every year," Beckham remarked. "I've been fortunate to win trophies but more important to me has been the fantastic reception I've had from fans in LA and across the States.

"Soccer's potential has no limits in this wonderful country and I want to always be part of growing it."

League commissioner Don Garber said of the news: "There is no doubt that MLS is far more popular and important here and abroad than it was when he arrived.

"David has achieved great things on and off the field during his time with the Galaxy and he will always be an important part of our history. We look forward to his continued involvement with the LA Galaxy and the league."

Juventus forward Bendtner is open to Arsenal return

Juventus forward Nicklas Bendtner has refused to rule out a return to Arsenal, despite another season-long loan away from the Premier League club suggesting he is surplus to requirements.

The 24-year-old is struggling to earn himself a starting role at the Bianconeri with only two starts and no goals pointing to another frustrating season ahead for the Denmark international.

However, after two seasons of loan spells at the Sunderland and the Italian giants, it seems the Dane is still undecided over whether his future lies with Arsene Wenger's side.

"It's difficult - I feel a lot of things for Arsenal, most good things. I left, not on bad terms but not on great terms," he told Sky Sports.

"At the moment, my future is here at Juventus. Beyond that, it can lie at Ar senal or elsewhere. It's not 100 per cent decided, but my focus is on Juventus."

The Danish striker also spoke of a car crash in September 2009 being a turning point in his life, with the near-death experience helping change his football career around.

"My car crash changed a lot of things," he continued. "It took a long time to get over that. Remember, I had 30 games at Sunderland. A lot of things happened for me to be there.

"Now I am where I want to be, at a Champions League club. It requires hard work and I know I need to get more games to achieve success.

"I've had to lose weight. That happens when you don't train for a long time, but I am now perfect weight-wise. I am where I need to be to get regular games," he added.

Pirlo reveals he almost joined Chelsea over Juventus

Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he almost signed for Chelsea during Carlo Ancelotti's reign at Stamford Bridge.

The Juventus star will line up against the Blues on Tuesday evening, but admitted he was in deep negotiations with club officials, before AC Milan - his club at the time - pulled the plug on a deal.

The 33-year-old told the Daily Mail: "Actually, Milan wouldnt let me go. I have a very strong connection with Ancelotti, so I was in touch with him when he went to Chelsea and Im still in touch with him now hes at Paris Saint-Germain.

"I had already started negotiating with the people at Chelsea but then finally Milan didnt let me go. Thats why I stayed.

"Certainly it would have been a different experience that Id have liked, especially when I was 30 years old. So why not? But unfortunately it didnt happen."

The midfielder has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance since joining the Bianco neri, contributing to Juventus' unbeaten title success last season, before shining for Italy at Euro 2012.

Pirlo also admitted he is still looking to challenge himself, and refused to rule out a future move to the Premier League.

"Maybe, who knows? I dont know what might happen. You never know. I still have two years left with Juventus, this season and next," he added.

"I like English football a lot. There are plenty of very good teams. They are very aggressive so its always entertaining to watch.

"It wouldnt be a problem for me fitting into that particular style because Ive played with different players with different characteristics throughout my career."