Tag Archives: italian

Roberto Di Matteo wanted by Lazio

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Lazio lining up Di Matteo if Abramovich snubs Italian for full-time Chelsea job

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UPDATED:

09:39 GMT, 16 May 2012

Lazio are ready to pounce if Roberto Di Matteo is overlooked for the Chelsea manager's job.

Di Matteo has been in charge since Roman Abramovich sacked Andre Villas-Boas in March and in the last 10 weeks has won the FA Cup and steered the Blues to the Champions League final.

Bayern Munich lie in wait on Saturday night and interim boss Di Matteo could have a big decision to make after the match as he is still in the dark about his Stamford Bridge future.

Playing it cool: Roberto Di Matteo won't be unsettled by talk of his future

Playing it cool: Roberto Di Matteo won't be unsettled by talk of his future

The former Chelsea midfielder played for Lazio in the mid-nineties and the club from the Italian capital have sounded him out about a return to Serie A.

Di Matteo was considered when Edy Reja handed in his resignation – before quickly changing his mind – earlier in the season. But Reja's days look numbered after missing out on Champions League qualification.

Centre of attention: Roberto Di Matteo is preparing for the Champions League final

Centre of attention: Roberto Di Matteo is preparing for the Champions League final

Reports in Italy say Di Matteo has promised to consider any proposal while another former Blue, Gianfranco Zola, has also been linked with the Biancazzurri.

Di Matteo said: 'I'm relaxed about my future. I have a drive and a motivation to do something extraordinary for Chelsea. Whatever comes afterwards, there's always a reason why things happen.'

Abramovich is desperate to land the Champions League and failure in the Allianz Arena this weekend could see him up the stakes in his pursuit of a bigger name.

Pep Guardiola, Fabio Capello and ex-Blues boss Jose Mourinho have all been linked with the job.

Final preparations: Roberto Di Matteo puts his players through their paces

Final preparations: Roberto Di Matteo puts his players through their paces

Alessandro del Piero on target as Serie A champions Juventus end the season unbeaten

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The ultimate farewell: Del Piero on target as Serie A champions Juventus end unbeaten

PUBLISHED:

17:14 GMT, 13 May 2012

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UPDATED:

17:23 GMT, 13 May 2012

Alessandro del Piero scored in his last league appearance for Juventus as the newly crowned Serie A champions beat Atalanta 3-1 to become the second Italian side to win the title by going the whole season unbeaten.

Del Piero signed off in style in front of the home fans as he doubled Juventus' lead in the 28th minute to cap a near 20-year career with the Old Lady.

Juventus took the lead in the ninth
minute when Marco Borriello forced his way into the area and set up Luca
Marrone, who opened the scoring with a powerful right-footed shot.

The perfect send-off: Alessandro del Piero holds the Serie A trophy aloft

The perfect send-off: Alessandro del Piero holds the Serie A trophy aloft

And Del Piero, who has been at
Juventus since 1993, scored his 289th goal for the club shortly before
the half hour when he fired home from the edge of the area.

The Juve captain was substituted in
the 57th minute to a standing ovation as the players and staff of both
teams joined in with the resounding applause for the club icon.

The standing ovation and cheers
continued even after Del Piero had left the field and the fomer Italy
forward got back off the bench and walked around the pitch saluting the
fans and gathering scarves which had been thrown down to him.

Bellissimo: Juventus get the party started in Turin

Bellissimo: Juventus get the party started in Turin

The city of Turin was in party mood with hundreds of thousands of fans gathered in the streets as Juventus celebrated its first title in nine years.

Around 5,000 fans welcomed the team bus as it arrived at Juventus Stadium, decorated with three stars as the club still counts the two titles it was stripped of following the 2006 match-fixing scandal.

Antonio Conte's team became only the third side ever to go the entire season without losing a game. Milan also won the title unbeaten in 1992.

Perugia went the entire 1978-79 season without losing a game but didn't win the league.

Emotional: Del Piero waves to the Juventus faithful

Emotional: Del Piero waves to the Juventus faithful

Atalanta pulled one back eight minutes from time when Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner turned Giacomo Bonaventura's cross into his own net but the home side restored its two-goal advantage in stoppage time after Thomas Manfredini brought down Borriello in the area and Andrea Barzagli fired home the resulting penalty.

The celebrations are set to continue through the night, with an open-topped bus parade planned for this evening.

It was also emotional at San Siro as
AC Milan bid farewell to club stalwarts Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro
Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi as well as Mark van Bommel.

Arrivederci: Alessandro Nesta bades farewell to the San Siro

Arrivederci: Alessandro Nesta bades farewell to the San Siro

Inzaghi scored to help Milan beat
Novara 2-1. However, it was of little importance as Juventus was four
points clear heading into the final game of the season and claimed its
28th league title last weekend after beating Cagliari 2-0 while AC Milan
lost 4-2 to Inter Milan.

Before the game at Milan, Nesta, Gattuso, Inzaghi and Van Bommel were given a standing ovation as clips of important matches they had played in were shown on the big screen during the warmup and they were individually thanked over the loudspeaker.

It seemed as if Novara was going to ruin their farewells when Santiago Garcia gave it the lead in the 20th minute but Mathieu Flamini leveled 11 minutes after the break and Inzaghi scored the winner eight minutes from time for his 156th Serie A goal in his 300th appearance.

Elsewhere, Fiorentina drew 0-0 at home to Cagliari.

Alessandro Nesta leaves AC Milan

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Nesta weighs up MLS move as Italian legend brings curtain down on 10 years with AC Milan

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UPDATED:

15:39 GMT, 10 May 2012

Alessandro Nesta is leaving AC Milan at the end of the season.

Nesta has enjoyed a trophy-laden 10 years with the Italian giants and the 36-year-old defender is considering a move to America.

'This was my last season with Milan,' Nesta told reporters on Thursday.

End of an era: Veteran defender Alessandro Nesta is quitting AC Milan

End of an era: Veteran defender Alessandro Nesta is quitting AC Milan

'I've evaluated everything and the high pace of the Italian league, the Champions League and the Italian Cup means that I can't play all the time. And I'm not one to sit and wait on the bench.'

Nesta has been linked with a move to New York Red Bulls.

He said: 'I would very happily go to the United States, it would be a good experience. It wouldn't be bad to cross the ocean. But until I have signed, I'm not going to say anything.'

Time for a change: Nesta will no longer wear the red and black of Milan

Time for a change: Nesta will no longer wear the red and black of Milan

Nesta won a Serie A title, two Italian Cups and the European Cup Winners' Cup with his first club Lazio before moving to the San Siro in 2002.

There he won the Italian title twice, two Champions Leagues and his second Italian Cup.

Nesta, earned the last of his Italy caps in 2006 and retired from international football as a World Cup winner.

His last game will be on Sunday against Novara.

Milan director Umberto Gandini tweeted: 'Nesta leaves AC Milan after 10 years of successful and brilliant service. What a person, what a player! Wishing him well in his next job!!'

Mark Cavendish wins stage five of Giro d"Italia

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Kids play! Cavendish back on the podium with daughter Delaila

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UPDATED:

16:29 GMT, 10 May 2012

British rider Mark Cavendish won stage five of the Giro d'Italia in a close finish in Fano on Thursday.

The Team Sky man produced a powerful sprint to edge out Australian Matt Goss of the Orica GreenEdge team and Italian Daniele Bennati of Radioshack Nissan.

High fives: Mark Cavendish celebrates stage win with his daughter Delaila

High fives: Mark Cavendish celebrates stage win with his daughter Delaila

All three were credited with the same time of four hours, 43 minutes and 15 seconds for the ride from Modena.

For world road race champion Cavendish it was his second stage success of this year's Giro, following his win in the second leg of the event, and the ninth of his career in the flagship Italian tour.

Three days ago, before the riders had a rest day, he suffered bruising and a gashed leg when he was involved in a pile-up caused by Roberto Ferrari in the closing moments of the third stage.

Back with a bang: Cavendish celebrates stage win

Back with a bang: Cavendish celebrates stage win

Cavendish's latest victory was spurred by
strong support from his Team Sky colleagues over the closing
kilometres, with Rigoberto Uran and Bernhard Eisel the first to shepherd
him before Peter Kennaugh and Geraint Thomas took over for the final
sprint.

Cavendish stands fifth in the overall standings, a place ahead of
Thomas, with the pink jersey still belonging to Garmin Barracuda's
Lithuanian rider Ramunas Navardauskas, who leads the way from team-mates
Robert Hunter and Ryder Hesjedal.

Just pucker: Lithuanian rider Ramunas Navardauskas on the podium after retaining the leader's pink jersey

Just pucker: Lithuanian rider Ramunas Navardauskas on the podium after retaining the leader's pink jersey

More to follow

Edin Dzeko to leave Manchester City

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He's Edin out of the door! Bosnia boss backs Dzeko to leave the City

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UPDATED:

09:26 GMT, 9 May 2012

Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko has been told to leave Manchester City by his international coach Safet Susic.

The giant 26-year-old signed for the club for 27million back in January 2011, but has been linked with summer moves to Juventus, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund after a frustrating season.

Out of favour: Dzeko has lost his starting place at Man City

Out of favour: Dzeko has lost his starting place at Man City

Blistering start: Dzeko scored six goals in the first three games of the season

Blistering start: Dzeko scored six goals in the first three games of the season

After scoring six goals in the opening three games of the season, Dzeko has scored just seven in the next 26 and has lost his place to first Mario Balotelli, and then Carlos Tevez.

'He knows what is best for him,' Susic told the Daily Mirror. 'Dzeko’s situation at Manchester City cannot last forever.'

City are looking for attacking reinforcements in the summer and although Balotelli and Tevez's futures are also in doubt, Dzeko is the most likely of the trio to leave.

'It seems that Manchester City will win the title, which means Roberto Mancini and his staff will remain, and I saw that City are planning to bring in even more attacking players,' Susic added.

Despite Juventus' interest, Dzeko's agent says it is more likely that Dzeko will return to Germany, where he was prolific with Wolfsburg.

'Dzeko is a champion, although this season he has not done so well,' Silvio Martina said. 'The City striker costs too much, so no Italian club will deal with the English club to buy him now.'

Juventus win Serie A

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Juventus lay match-fixing scandal to bed as they claim first Serie A title since 2003

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UPDATED:

21:40 GMT, 6 May 2012

Juventus won their first Serie A crown since 2003 after a combination of their own victory and a Diego Milito hat-trick which sunk title rivals AC Milan.

Juve beat Cagliari 2-0, while second-placed Milan went down 4-2 to city rivals Inter in a thrilling San Siro derby.

Contrasting emotions: AC Milan's defeat in the derby coupled with Juventus' win over Cagliari secured the Bianconeri's first Serie A title since 2003

Contrasting emotions: AC Milan's defeat in the derby coupled with Juventus' win over Cagliari secured the Bianconeri's first Serie A title since 2003

Contrasting emotions: AC Milan's defeat in the derby coupled with Juventus' win over Cagliari secured the Bianconeri's first Serie A title since 2003

The results left the Turin side four points ahead of the Rossoneri with one game of the season to go.

It was Juve's first Scudetto since returning to the top flight of Italian football following the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal, for which they were punished with relegation.

The unbeaten leaders went into the penultimate round of fixtures with a one-point advantage over Milan and duly saw off Cagliari in Sardinia.

Mirko Vucinic opened the scoring with a neat finish in the sixth minute and the points were sealed when substitute Marco Borriello netted in the 71st minute, three minutes after coming on.

Putting on a show: The two fixtures were typically colourful affairs on the terraces

Putting on a show: The two fixtures were typically colourful affairs on the terraces

Putting on a show: The two fixtures were typically colourful affairs on the terraces

Samba magic: Maicon's thunderous long-range effort put a gloss on the evening's results

Samba magic: Maicon's thunderous long-range effort put a gloss on the evening's results

Events at the San Siro were far more dramatic as Milan fought back from conceding an early goal to Milito to lead 2-1 early in the second half thanks to a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede levelled with a penalty a minute before the break, which replays showed should not have been awarded, and netted again a minute after the restart.

Jubilation: Gianluigi Buffon and his manager were mobbed as he made his way towards the away fans

Jubilation: Gianluigi Buffon and his manager were mobbed as he made his way towards the away fans

Jubilation: Gianluigi Buffon and his manager were mobbed as he made his way towards the away fans

But Milito got his second from the spot in the 52nd minute and the referee gave a third penalty 10 minutes from time which the Argentinian converted to complete his hat-trick.

Needing to win to take the title race to the final day because of their inferior head-to-head record with Juve, Milan knew the game was up and Maicon compounded their misery when he lashed home a superb fourth in the 87th minute.

Mobbed: Giorgio Chiellini also made his way over the fans, as did summer signing Andrea Pirlo

Mobbed: Giorgio Chiellini also made his way over the fans, as did summer signing Andrea Pirlo

Mobbed: Giorgio Chiellini also made his way over the fans, as did summer signing Andrea Pirlo

Francesco Molinari wins Spanish Open

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Molinari sweeps to victory in Seville after Dyson blows Spanish Open bid

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UPDATED:

16:30 GMT, 6 May 2012

Francesco Molinari finally returned to winning ways – and did it with one of the finest rounds of his career.

The Italian Ryder Cup star produced a best-of-the-week 65, seven under par, to turn a four-stroke deficit into a three-shot win at the Spanish Open in Seville.

Molinari was ranked 14th in the world when he beat Lee Westwood at the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai nearly 18 months ago, but this was his first success since then.

All smiles: Francesco Molinari celebrates his victory with his wife Valentina and son Tommaso

All smiles: Francesco Molinari celebrates his victory with his wife Valentina and son Tommaso

While he celebrated his third
European Tour victory, however, overnight leader Simon Dyson was left to
reflect on a 76 that dealt a big blow to his hopes of a Ryder Cup debut
in September.

Nobody in the top 50 scored worse on
the final day, Dyson falling all the way to joint 12th – and that after
starting with two birdies.

Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Spaniards
Alejandro Canizares and Pablo Larrazabal finished joint second, but
Molinari out-played them all to take the first prize of more than
271,000.

Italian job: Francesco Molinari fired a stunning final round of 65 to win the Spanish Open by three shots

Italian job: Francesco Molinari fired a stunning final round of 65 to win the Spanish Open by three shots

What made it all the more special for
him was that the tournament was first staged 100 years ago and came
just before the first anniversary of three-time winner Seve Ballesteros'
death.

'I knew I was playing well. I just
needed some putts to drop,' said the 29-year-old, who moves back into
the world's top 30 as he heads back across the Atlantic for this week's
Players Championship.

'I was also hoping the other guys would not go too far under par and everything worked out perfectly.'

Green seeker: Molinari was in exception form on the final day to secure his victory

Green seeker: Molinari was in exception form on the final day to secure his victory

Golf blog

He is still not in a qualifying position for this year's Ryder Cup, but added:

'I just have to play the same golf a few more weeks and hopefully I will be there.

'Everybody is desperate to make the team, but unfortunately for us there are only 12 spots.

'It's going to be hard – there are a lot of great players in Europe at the moment.'

Delio Rossi "apologises" for Adem Ljajic attack

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Deplorable, but understandable! Rossi 'apologises' for attack on Ljajic

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UPDATED:

10:11 GMT, 4 May 2012

Former Fiorentina manager Delio Rossi has apologised for but attempted to justify his attack on Adem Ljajic.

Rossi was sacked this week after launching volley of slaps and punches at his own player after the midfielder was substituted just half an hour into the 2-2 draw with Novara.

Ljajic, who was once on trial at Manchester United, player appeared to sarcastically clap his decision to take him off, and Rossi responded with violence as others on the bench attempted to restrain him.

Scroll down to watch the incredible video…

Sacked: Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi (left) after his attack on Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic in Florence

Sacked: Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi (left) after his attack on Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic in Florence

Who are they…

Delio Rossi

Following an unremarkable playing career, Rossi, 51, made a name for himself as a young coach by earning Salernitana promotion to Serie A in 1997. He has taken on 14 managerial jobs, most notably a four-year stint at Lazio, who he guided to a third-placed finish in 2007 and won the Coppa Italia with in 2009.

Adem Ljajic

The 20-year-old Serbian attacking midfielder joined Fiorentina in January 2010 after Manchester United had pulled out of a deal to bring him in from hometown club Partizan Belgrade the month before. Was dubbed the 'new Kaka' upon his 6.5million arrival in Florence, but he has struggled to live up to his billing so far – although time is on his side.

Speaking today, Rossi said his
actions were 'deplorable, but understandable, humanly'. He added: 'I
made a mistake and I'm paying for it.'

Rossi has since been given a three-month ban from Italian football.

A statement from the Lega Serie A
read: 'The TV images have shown a thoughtless conduct, a violent and
unpredictable one, and the serioussness of it cannot be lessened by the
emotional tension generated by the delicate situation of the team.'

Fiorentina dimissed Rossi hours
after the incident and have appointed team manager Vincenzo Guerini as
their coach until the end of the season.

The former Palermo boss, who replaced
the sacked Sinisa Mihajlovic in November, endured a difficult spell
with the Viola. Fiorentina have won just three of their last 11 games
and the point against Novara left the Tuscan side only six points clear
of the relegation zone with two games left to play.

'I would have never expected such a
reaction from him,' Palermo president Maurizo Zamparini said. 'I know
it's a very difficult day for Rossi, especially when he watches the
images on TV and sees what he did. He will be the first to understand
that he made a mistake.'

Siena boss Giuseppe Sannino was one
of the many coaches to come out in defence of Rossi, who has a 20-year
coaching career behind him.

Hurt: Ljajic (right) looked visibly upset as he sat on the bench after being hit by Rossi

Hurt: Ljajic (right) looked visibly upset as he sat on the bench after being hit by Rossi

'Rossi is known as a very serious
man, who has never gone over the line,' he said. 'Personally, I don't
feel like condemning him. A coach is always alone and there's always big tension in our football.

'I am saddened his image has been tarnished by this gesture.'

AC Milan vice-president Adriano
Galliani also spoke about the incident. He said: 'Rossi's reaction was
exaggerated but the players need to show respect to their coaches.

'I cannot justify what Rossi did but he was provoked.'

Shock: Ljajic (right) heads back to the bench after being substituted - and then attacked

Shock: Ljajic (right) heads back to the bench after being substituted – and then attacked

Fiorentina defender Cesare Natali
admitted this incident could not have come at a worse possible time for
the team, who have yet to guarantee Serie A safety. The Viola travel to
18th-place Lecce on Saturday needing a point to guarantee top flight
football next season.

'I am saddened for what has
happened,' he said. 'I feel sorry for the coach and for Ljajic, who I
think could have avoided any reaction after being substituted.

'We must all now focus on one thing only and that is to go to Lecce and take the point we need in order to defend our status.'

Fiorentina have announced they have
opened disciplinary proceedings against the 20-year-old Ljajic. The
Serbian midfielder has scored one goal in 20 league appearances for
Fiorentina this season.

Delio Rossi fired: Fiorentina coach banned for 3 months after attacking Adem Ljajic

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Sacked boss Rossi hit with three-month ban after crazed attack on his OWN player Ljajic

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UPDATED:

18:02 GMT, 3 May 2012

Former Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi has been banned for three months by the Italian football league after he attacked midfielder Adem Ljajic during Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Novara.

The 51-year-old struck Ljajic in the dugout after the player's apparent dissent at being substituted just 32 minutes into the match.

A statement from the Lega Serie A read: 'The TV images have shown a thoughtless conduct, a violent and unpredictable one, and the serioussness of it cannot be lessened by the emotional tension generated by the delicate situation of the team.'

Scroll down to watch the incredible video…

Sacked: Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi (left) after his attack on Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic in Florence

Sacked: Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi (left) after his attack on Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic in Florence

Who are they…

Delio Rossi

Following an unremarkable playing career, Rossi, 51, made a name for himself as a young coach by earning Salernitana promotion to Serie A in 1997. He has taken on 14 managerial jobs, most notably a four-year stint at Lazio, who he guided to a third-placed finish in 2007 and won the Coppa Italia with in 2009.

Adem Ljajic

The 20-year-old Serbian attacking midfielder joined Fiorentina in January 2010 after Manchester United had pulled out of a deal to bring him in from hometown club Partizan Belgrade the month before. Was dubbed the 'new Kaka' upon his 6.5million arrival in Florence, but he has struggled to live up to his billing so far – although time is on his side.

Fiorentina dimissed Rossi hours
after the incident and have appointed team manager Vincenzo Guerini as
their coach until the end of the season.

Rossi has not spoken since the incident.

The former Palermo boss, who replaced
the sacked Sinisa Mihajlovic in November, endured a difficult spell
with the Viola. Fiorentina have won just three of their last 11 games
and the point against Novara left the Tuscan side only six points clear
of the relegation zone with two games left to play.

'I would have never expected such a
reaction from him,' Palermo president Maurizo Zamparini said. 'I know
it's a very difficult day for Rossi, especially when he watches the
images on TV and sees what he did. He will be the first to understand
that he made a mistake.'

Siena boss Giuseppe Sannino was one
of the many coaches to come out in defence of Rossi, who has a 20-year
coaching career behind him.

Hurt: Ljajic (right) looked visibly upset as he sat on the bench after being hit by Rossi

Hurt: Ljajic (right) looked visibly upset as he sat on the bench after being hit by Rossi

'Rossi is known as a very serious
man, who has never gone over the line,' he said. 'Personally, I don't
feel like condemning him. A coach is always alone and there's always big tension in our football.

'I am saddened his image has been tarnished by this gesture.'

AC Milan vice-president Adriano
Galliani also spoke about the incident. He said: 'Rossi's reaction was
exaggerated but the players need to show respect to their coaches.

'I cannot justify what Rossi did but he was provoked.'

Shock: Ljajic (right) heads back to the bench after being substituted - and then attacked

Shock: Ljajic (right) heads back to the bench after being substituted – and then attacked

Fiorentina defender Cesare Natali
admitted this incident could not have come at a worse possible time for
the team, who have yet to guarantee Serie A safety. The Viola travel to
18th-place Lecce on Saturday needing a point to guarantee top flight
football next season.

'I am saddened for what has
happened,' he said. 'I feel sorry for the coach and for Ljajic, who I
think could have avoided any reaction after being substituted.

'We must all now focus on one thing only and that is to go to Lecce and take the point we need in order to defend our status.'

Fiorentina have announced they have
opened disciplinary proceedings against the 20-year-old Ljajic. The
Serbian midfielder has scored one goal in 20 league appearances for
Fiorentina this season.

Seydou Keita considers snubbing Liverpool for AC Milan

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Barca midfielder Keita could snub Liverpool switch after AC Milan option emerges

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UPDATED:

11:26 GMT, 3 May 2012

Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita is considering rejecting Liverpool's advances and instead making a move to AC Milan.

The Mali star is finding it difficult to secure a place in the starting XI at the Nou Camp and the 32-year-old would rather move elsewhere than keep attempting to break through.

He is looking for a contract which will bring him to the end of his career, and though Russian club Anzhi are interested, Spanish newspaper Sport report Barcelona are offering him to the Italian side as part of a deal for Thiago Silva.

Options: Seydou Keita could go to Italy

Options: Seydou Keita could go to Italy

The Brazilian centre-back would be a fantastic addition to the Catalan side's defence and any potential deal will frustrate Liverpool's efforts to grab the player.

Keita has previously said Liverpool are 'a great club with great players' but now he is more likely to move to the San Siro.