Juve To Hand Amauri To Milan For Gilardino

Reports are strengthening in Italy that Juventus are set to scrap their deal to buy Amauri, handing the reigns to Milan in return for signing Alberto Gilardino instead.

Amauri had appeared almost certain to sign for the Bianconeri, and Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini earlier this week stated that a deal was “98 per cent completed”, with the finishing touches being applied next week.

However yesterday evening Amauri delivered a sensational announcement, saying that he may not join Juve any longer.

“It’s not certain I am leaving this season. At the end of the campaign I will talk to Zamparini and he’ll set out his plans,” said the Brazilian.

The Gazzetta dello Sport now says that the major snag in Amauri’s move has come about due to wages.

The 27-year-old is demanding €3.75m a season, but Alessio Secco and the Juventus management are refusing to pay him more than €3m, and have made it clear they will not be changing their mind.

As a result it is now looking possible that Milan, who are more than happy to cough up the extra €750k, will be allowed by Juve to step in and sign Amauri instead.

In return Milan will sell the Old Lady forward flop Gilardino, who was certain to leave the club at the end of the season anyway.

Gila has had a miserable three seasons at San Siro since joining from Parma in 2005, however a question mark remains over how much the Rossoneri will demand for a player they paid €24m for.

Gamberini Backs Gilardino Move

Alberto Gilardino could be on his way to Fiorentina after Alessandro Gamberini backs a possible transfer for the under-fire Milan striker.

Gilardino has been poor all season, having just scored nine goals in Serie A this term. His lack of first team appearances have played a big part in this and it’s looking likely that he will be on his way out of San Siro.

The former Parma man has been linked with several clubs and recently there has been talk that he may move to Fiorentina where a possible swap for Frey and Gilardino may take place.

“He (Gilardino) is an excellent striker and then he knows Prandelli from the past, and I am sure he would be a welcome addition to this group,” Gamberini told Tuttosport.

The Viola have excellent front men in Pazzini and Mutu but there have been rumours that Pazzini may move to a bigger club and thus he would leave a place for Gilardino.

Fiorentina still have a chance for Champions League football and they would need to bolster their squad if they are to challenge in Europe next season.

NAPOLI-MILAN

GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac, Offredi;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Digao, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic, Ambrosini;

MIDFIELDERS: Ba, Brocchi, Gattuso, Kakà, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato.

MILAN-UDINESE

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Kaladze, Oddo, Serginho, Simic, Ambrosini;

MIDFIELDERS: Brocchi, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato.

Gilardino On The Way-Corvino

Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino reveals that Alberto Gilardino is likely to arrive from Milan but he remains in doubt over Andrea Barzagli.

La Viola are currently in the process of adding reinforcements to their squad in light of next season's Champions League commitments.

Cesare Prandelli's side have been after the Milan striker for a while now and they may sign him within the next few days as there are talks going on between both clubs.

Corvino however admits that it will not be easy to strengthen.

"We have almost a desperate battle against Inter, Roma and Juventus to sign players because they have so much money whereas we have to rely on sacrifices from the Della Valle family and the nous of myself and Cesare Prandelli," said Corvino.

"Gilardino? He will be the most expensive player that I have ever signed – even more than Luca Toni.

"In my career I have become used to cooking with water, but this time I have used oil and I hope I can offer more tasty dishes."

Andrea Barzagli was tipped for a move to Florence but Corvino doesn't sound too confident on landing the Azzurri stopper.

"I am pessimistic about Barzagli," added Corvino.

"However, for the last three years our defence has been amongst the tightest in the League. We can win without him."

The transfer chief also opened the door for Lyon's Anthony Revelliere but he insists that he has alternatives if the Frenchman doesn't arrive.

"Reveillere could be useful to cover for the departure of Tomas Ujfalusi, but he isn’t the only option," said the transfer guru.

"Angelo Palombo? We won’t be moving for him. We already have six midfielders and if we need one more we will research better. One could be developing in Florence or in Patagonia – we’ll find him."

The Viola were in great form this season in Serie A and next term they will be hoping to mount a serious challenge both in Europe and in Serie A.

Official: Gilardino Signs For Viola :cry:

Fiorentina have confirmed the arrival of Alberto Gilardino from Milan after both clubs reached a deal for the under-fire striker.

The former Parma hit-man has been playing second fiddle at the Rossoneri for the past couple of seasons and he has spent the majority of the campaign on the bench.

His performances were woeful and he has been quickly shipped out to La Viola who have confirmed the deal.

A statement on the club's official website reads: "Fiorentina would like to communicate that the club has signed Alberto Gilardino from AC Milan on a permanent basis.

"Gilardino will be unveiled to the press at 12.30 on Thursday at the Artemio Franchi stadium."

Reports in Italy claim the Viola paid €15m for the striker, he will earn €1.65m per season plus bonuses and he has signed a five year deal.

The striker is Fiorentina's third signing of the current transfer window following the arrivals of Felipe Melo and Stevan Jovetic.

GOODBYE ALBERTO

The next Milan-Fiorentina will have a premise, a heartfelt and affectionate prologue: the applause to Alberto Gilardino. He says goodbye, we say goodbye, to a nice person, a great player.

MILAN - Gila's three years at Milan happened and no one will ever erase them from the Rossoneri's history. Seventeen goals in his first league season, in which Milan earned 88 completely deserved points and finished second, twelve goals in his second season with a fourth place reached one month before the Athens Final, a goal against Manchester United in a perfect match, the decisive goal against Udinese this year. We could go on. But the thanks and good luck wishes to Alberto cannot be forgotten. We cannot forget his face always full of loyalty and sincerity. A good lad, a perfect young man, he had and still has what it takes to be part of a big club like Milan: technique and tricks on the pitch, good manners and kindness outside of it. Even today, on the day of his departure, it's hard to accept that something, perhaps, was nevertheless missing.

But Alberto will remain in Milan's heart, and Milan will remain in Alberto's heart. He leaves to play in a team that, like him, is fresh and ambitious, a proud opponent of Milan at the end of last season for qualification to the Champions League. Gilardino was the first purchase after the Istanbul final. The last act of that Champions League would have truncated and devastated anyone, but not Milan. And the proof of the club's immediate reaction was his purchase. Alberto, the coup of the 2005 Italian transfer season. Everyone wanted him, Milan wanted him. Now we say goodbye, with a strong embrace. The Rossoneri fans will remember the intense and composed applause that Gila dedicated to the fans during the last Milan-Udinese match. Rest assured, Alberto, that all the applause in the next Milan-Fiorentina game will be all for you.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :cry:

Gilardino: Here To Prove Myself

Alberto Gilardino is delighted with his marriage to Fiorentina and he is hoping to achieve some great things with La Viola.

The 25-year-old hit-man was unveiled today at the Artemio Franchi following his €15m move from Milan.

The striker is hoping for a renaissance in Florence and he cannot wait to start his new adventure in Tuscany.

"I am really happy, it was a perfect marriage which went well right from the start," said Gilardino.

"I knew staright away that things would go very well between myself and the club.

"Fiorentina are doing great things and they are in the Champions League and I am hoping to give my best for the side.

"I would have come even if they were not in the Champions League because I have the intention of getting back to my best."

The striker also spoke about Cesare Prandelli who launched the player to stardom when he was at Parma. He also reveals that he has no regrets on leaving San Siro.

"I have an excellent relationship with Cesare Prandelli and I have known him for years. We have an excellent understanding. He made me a great player at Parma and I am sure it will be important here too," said the hit-man.

"I have left Milan on good terms and I don't have any regrets as I won many things with them.

"Now I am thinking about doing well and achieving great things here. I need to work hard on the training ground so that I can show my true worth."

Gilardino was poor for the Rossoneri last season, he scored just four goals in 19 appearances for his side and he was on the bench for large parts of the campaign.

He will have to work hard in order to try and secure himself a first team place in Prandelli's talented squad.

arrivederci Alberto

Thanks for the pics Sandy

you're welcome luNo