Matri hopes for Juve stay; Barcelona closing in on first summer signing

Matri hopes for Juve stay

Alessandro Matri is hoping he has done enough to persuade Juventus chiefs into making his loan deal from Cagliari permanent.

The Bianconeri signed the 26-year-old on loan from Cagliari with an option of making the transfer permanent for €15.5 million.

The Italy international scored nine goals in sixteen Serie A games for Juventus and he now hopes to hit a jackpot, as people who play casino games would say, and earn a permanent move to the Old Lady.

“I’m pleased with what I’ve been able to do and therefore I hope to stay here, but considering the result of the season I can’t be fully happy,” Matri said.

“We’re all upset about how the season’s gone. This year we’ve only experienced bitterness, next year we only want to have satisfaction.”

Coach Luigi Del Neri is set to leave the post, with Antonio Conte his most likely replacement.

“I still don’t know anything about who will manage us. I know that Del Neri won’t be here anymore.

“I owe him a lot because he trusted me since I arrived and for this I would like to thank him very much.”

Alessandro Matri has been one of just few bright spots in otherwise disappointing season for Juventus and the Bianconeri should do everything to keep the promising striker in the side.

Barcelona closing in on first summer signing

Barcelona are on the verge of signing Sorting Gijon left-back Jose Angel, according to Marca.

Even though the team are now preparing for the Champions League final against Manchester United, Barcelona officials are already looking for summer reinforcements.

As Marca reports, the Catalans are very close to completing the signing of Jose Angel from Sporting Gijon.

Sporting Gijon sporting director Alfredo Garcia Amado and club president Manuel Vega Arango are expected in Barcelona tomorrow to close the deal.

The transfer taking the promising full-back to Camp Nou is worth around €4 million, while several Barcelona youngsters could join Sporting on loan with a purchase option as part of the deal.

The 21-year-old who has already featured for Spain youth teams have largely impressed this season at Sporting and has now seen the roulette wheel land on his favourite number.

Angel was close to joining Malaga in January, but the transfer eventually went through.

Pep Guardiola reportedly sees the 21-year-old as a perfect back-up for Maxwell as well as the one of the future.

Bale and Modric to stay put

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has moved to quash speculations linking Luka Modric and Gareth Bale with a move away from White Hart Lane.

Daniel Levy assured Tottenham fans that Spurs were not looking to sell their star players, in an open letter to supporters.

“We have spent years and hundreds of millions of pounds investing in our first-team squad and in creating a settled team.

“Having quality players means they automatically attract attention from other clubs – but I can assure you that we have no reason to sell, and every intention of retaining, our key players. We shall simply not entertain any approaches for these players.”

Levy, however, admits the squad need to be trimmed.

“We currently have one of the largest squads in the Premier League and, given the 25-man squad rule, it is no longer practical to retain players who are unlikely to qualify within that limit.

“We shall, therefore, look to reduce the number of these players during the coming summer transfer window in order to operate both effectively and efficiently.”

The Tottenham chief is satisfied with club’s achievements this season.

“Harry and his coaching staff have worked with the squad to deliver performances during the season that fans will remember for years to come.”

“This season we experienced our first venture in the Champions League and it was one which saw us reach the quarter-final stage.

“We achieved this playing some of the most entertaining and exciting football of the competition – truly memorable performances.

“We shall miss and all be disappointed at not qualifying for the Champions League for a subsequent year, but I know that the players will be fully focused next season on returning us to this elite competition.”

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