Pirlo waiting for signal from Juventus to extend

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo is reportedly waiting for signals from the Old Lady as he hopes to extend his stay with the Turin outfit.

Although general director Beppe Marotta said on Wednesday that there would be no talks of a contract extension anytime this month, the player is said to have made Turin his home and doesn’t wish to depart the club in the near future.

However, Sky Sports 24 reports that Pirlo and his agent were recently spotted at a dinner which was also attended by AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani.

Whilst it is highly regarded that there was nothing but the mere exchange of greetings during their encounter, some outlets suggest that the player’s good relationship with the Rossoneri means that anything is possible if he fails to meet an agreement with the Bianconeri.

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Berlusconi: I will involve myself in AC Milan again

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has declared that he is going to increase his personal involvement in the club to turn its fortunes around.

The Rossoneri currently sit in 10th in Serie A, having had a poor start to the season.

Meanwhile, Berlusconi has been occupied with recent changes in his political career; he was expelled from parliament in November due to his tax fraud conviction.

“I will now personally engage with the team to relaunch them in the league and in the Champions League,” Berlusconi told fellow politicians of Forza Italia, the party he has revived after its dissolution in 2009 (quotes reported by Milannews.it).

“Remember, Milan were in Serie B then I came along and promised that I would make the team the strongest in the world, but nobody believed me, not even the players.”

Berlusconi has been the owner of Milan since purchasing the club in 1986.

Capello named Coach of the Year in Russia

Fabio Capello has been named as the winner of the Coach of the Year award in Russia for 2013.

The 67-year-old tactician shared the accolade with Mikhail Likhachev, coach of Russia’s World Cup winning beach soccer team, after both men received an equal number of votes from a panel consisting of sports journalists.

The former AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus and England coach was recognised after leading Russia to their first World Cup appearance since 2002 after topping their qualifying group ahead of Portugal.

Capello succeeded Dick Advocaat as Russia coach in July 2012 on a two-year contact after the Dutchman stood down following the team’s early exit from the Euro 2012 tournament.

The Italian coach is currently in negotiations over a contract extension with the national side until 2018, when Russia will host the World Cup.

Napoli captain unhappy with role

Gaetano Fedele, agent of Napoli’s captain Paolo Cannavaro,  hinted Wednesday that his client will consider leaving the Azzurri if he continues to suffer from the lack of playing time.

Once a constant in former coach Walter Mazzarri’s starting 11, fortune changed for the 32-year old central defender with the arrival of Rafael Benitez to Naples.

“We’re hoping that something can change with the New Year,” Cannavaro’s representative told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Paolo is still hopeful that he can find some space in the side, but if nothing changes then we’ll speak with the club in a bid to find a solution that satisfies everybody.”

This season Cannavaro, a Napoli youth product, has made two starts and a total of four appearances, while his role at the heart of the Partenopei’s defence has been taken over by summer signing Raul Albiol.

Chelsea face Premier League competition for Inter man’s signature

It has emerged that up to three other Premier League sides are set to fight it out with Chelsea to try and take Andrea Ranocchia away from Inter.

The Blues do seem to be favourites to secure the Italian international’s services after the clubs agreed in principle on a price tag for the player.

However, Jose Mourinho’s side will encounter stiff competition with the Daily Star reporting that Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United are all eagerly monitoring the player.

Despite often being considered one of the brightest young talents in Italian football, the 25-year-old has often failed to live up to that reputation since impressing during a spell with Bari.

He has featured prominently for the Nerazzurri this season under Walter Mazzarri scoring once in 13 appearances.

Napoli closing in on Corinthians defender states agent

Jorge Machado, agent of Corinthians defender Edenilson, has revealed that Napoli have made an offer for the player.

The 24-year-old has apparently come to an agreement with the Partenopei already but is awaiting confirmation from the Brazlian club before he finalises the deal, though Corinthians sporting director Roberto de Andrade has reportedly claimed there has been no official contact between the two clubs.

Machado spoke about the transfer news to the media on Thursday and admitted that a move to Europe would benefit his client’s career.

“Napoli have made a good offer,” said the agent.

“It would be a wonderful opportunity for Edenilson. The Brazilian league is still a long way from Europe in terms of pay.”

Some sources report that the Serie A side have made an offer of around €3.5 million for the right back, who’s also sometimes used as a central midfielder, though the Timao are supposedly refusing to sell him for less than €5m.

Genoa fans start Gilardino Twitter campaign

On Wednesday, a section of Genoa fans took to Twitter in an effort to convince Alberto Gilardino to remain at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for the foreseeable future.

According to several reports, the striker is on the verge of a move to MLS side Toronto FC and fans of the Rossoblu have set up this novel campaign in a last-ditch attempt to keep hold of their top scorer.

Revealed by Il Secolo XIX, Genoa fans have been using the hashtag #AlbertoGilardino and a series of tweets have already been posted on the site in a uniquely 21st-Century phenomenon.

After scoring seven goals in 16 Serie A appearances so far this season, it is easy to see why the fans are so keen to keep hold of the attacker and, with a World Cup on the horizon, Gilardino will undoubtedly be looking to keep this run going.

Napoli Close To New Stadium Agreement

Napoli’s desire to move away from the Stadio San Paolo to a new home seems set to be approved by the local government.

The Partenopei’s home for the last fifty-four years is growing old and worn, and the club’s wish to construct a new stadium is long-standing.

Speaking at the award of a Citizens Award for Sport to Azzurri coach Rafael Benitez, mayor of Naples Luigi di Magistris indicated that talks are at an advanced stage.

“We are close to an overall agreement,” he said. “A transaction for previous credit and the new stadium.

“In parliament,” the former prosecutor continued, “there is debate on new stadia, and I hope we can give it further impetus. There is a strong will.”

Napoli’s current home was renovated for the 1990 World Cup, but has become dilapidated since the tournament. The city council have tried to rename the 60,000 capacity stadium after club legend Diego Maradona, but failed because of national legislation.

Inter Plan Swoop for Cagliari star

Inter are planning a January swoop for Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

With Chelsea courting the Nerazzurri’s Fredy Guarin, Walter Mazzarri would have his sights set on the Belgian-born Indonesian as a possible replacement.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the key to the Nerazzurri’s plan rests on Under-21 goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, who is currently on loan at Livorno.

With Michael Agazzi Fiorentina-bound, the Rossoblu will need a goalkeeper to replace him and Internazionale would broker the deal by recalling Bardi from Livorno and selling half of the player to Cagliari in exchange for the Belgian international.

Nainggolan has made 15 appearances so far for the Sardinian club, scoring two goals. The Belgian has long been the object of interest from numerous Serie A clubs over the last couple seasons.

Cagliari midfielder hopeful of Napoli upset

Cagliari midfielder Daniele Dessena has insisted his side will be going all out for a win against Napoli at the weekend.

Despite only winning four matches this season and sitting in tenth position, the former Sampdoria man is confident they can further dent the Partenopei’s Scudetto hopes.

“Napoli are one of the best sides in Italy, along with Juventus and Roma,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“They are a tough team to take on and we at Cagliari will need to be at our best.

“We are proving ourselves to be a side with great character and hunger. We want to take home the three points.”