After Grosso, Birmingham now want Camoranesi

Birmingham aren't happy with just one Azzurri World Cup winner in the squad. Yesterday they were linked with Fabio Gross, today it is the turn of Mauro Camoranesi. It was always likely that both these players were on their way from Juventus this pre-season as the Bianconeri look to cut the dead wood from their ageing squad.

Full Story: Daily Mirror

Federico Marchetti offered to West Ham

Italy's World Cup stand in keeper is apparently being offered to West Ham. It is probably more a case of being pursued by West Ham rather than being offered to them but either way, they will need to find a replacement for Robert Green who looks likely to leave this pre-season. The Cagliari goalkeeper has been linked with Juventus, Sampdoria and Arsenal in recent weeks.

Full Story: Daily Mail

Fabio Grosso linked with...Birmingham City

To Italians all over the world Fabio Gross is a footballing hero and always will be. His exploits in winning Italy the World Cup in 2006 will never be forgotten. On top form he was a player to rival the best in the world in his position.

The 2006 World Cup was where he arguably reached his peak form and ever since he has been in constant decline. This decline is somewhat confirmed with Birmingham City being linked with his services. In the press they describe it as an ambitious bid. Personally I'd say it is probably the only level that Grosso can now excel at. He still has something to offer and Birmingham could be the right club to see out his career in the correct positive fashion.

Full Story: Daily Mail

Juventus still in for Pazzini

Juventus still want Gianpaolo Pazzini from Sampdoria and would make a definitive move should Samp fail to qualify for the Champions League group stages. This makes sense as Samp will definitely not want to let him go should they qualify for the main event.

Full Story: Goal.com

Juventus: Zebina on his way out

Every Juve fan can breath a sigh of relief. A very weak link in the Bianconeri defense last season will not be missed.

Juventus: Adebayor is the back up plan

Emanuel Adebayor seems to be the pretty desperate last resort by Juve to fill the space in their forward line. Should all else fail Juve will ask Man City for the season long loan of the Togo international. If this turns out to be the case it will be a bit of a downer on what has been a very good transfer campaign for the revitalised Turin club.

Juventus: Iaquinta out a month...Is that such a bad thing!

Vincenzo Iaquinta, the Juve 'hitman', has been ruled out of pre-season through injury for a least a month. Is it me or is Iaquinta very much over rated? Many people still have him as a starter for Juve in the coming season mainly due to his versatility and 'pace'. He did have a very good season at Udinese that preceded his move to Juventus, however, he has never showed anything other that mediocrity since then and Marcello Lippi's suborn faith in him during this summers World Cup in South Africa was a massive failure. He was arguably Italy's poorest player.

So, he is out a month. If I was a Juve fan then I would be greatly relieved that maybe one of the other forwards in the squad will get a chance to shine this pre-season and finally demote Iaquinta to the bench where I believe he has more value.

Juventus: Marchisio states the obvious

Claudio Marchisio:"it would be difficult to do worse than last season..."

Juventus: Forlan is new €35m target

Juve have set their sights on Deigo Forlan. The Uruguay International and World Cup Golden Ball winner is seen as a perfect fit as Juve target the top of Serie A again after a disastrous season. €35m is seen as Athletico Madrids breaking point and with the Bianconeri known to have stated, '...the best player in the world, is the right purchase...' with regard to their interest in the player, it doesn't look far fetched that they might get their man.

Juventus: Del Neri wants another 4

Gigi Del Neri says he wants four more signings this pre-season. He is after a left sided fullback, a central defender, a winger/wide forward and a striker. As to who they are is still speculation however the fullback position is likely to be one of Kolorov or Elia (see previous post). The centre of defense is pretty much locked for next season with Chiellini-Bonucci. The new signing is likely to be cover for one of these two. The winger/wide forward position is one that Juve have already strengthened this season with Pepe and Martinez however Del Neri is known to be a fan of both Vargas and Krasic and it would not be a surprise to see one of them lining up as a wide man in Turin come August. As for the striker, it's looking more likely that it will be one of either Dzeko or Pazzini.

The new Juve is taking shape and it looks pretty strong.

Juventus: Kolorov or Elia for left fullback position?

Juve are reportedly after a left back. Not as back up for De Ceglie but to replace him. The number one priority is Lazio's Aleksander Kolorov with Dutchman Elia also a option for the bianconeri.

What happens to De Ceglie should Juve land one of their targets? Here's another example of Italian clubs not having faith in their own players. De Ceglie has the potential to improve this season and perhaps even break into the national team. If he is forced to play out the season on the bench then his development could be stunted. Let's not forget Juve also had Azzurri leftback Criscito on their books until they off loaded him permanently to Genoa last month.

Surely a leftback pairing of Criscito and De Ceglie makes more sense than spending big money on what could be 'flash in the pan' players like Elia.