Napoli show interest in Aquilani

Alberto Aquilani's Liverpool career looks to be over after his agent confirmed he was eager to remain in Italy on a permanent basis.

The midfielder has spent the season on loan at Juventus, having failed to establish himself following his £17.6m move from Roma in 2009, and his representative, Franco Zavaglia, says the 26-year-old would prefer to remain in Serie A, rather than return to his parent club for pre-season training next month.

Liverpool had agreed a transfer price of £13m for the Italian international, but having signed Andrea Pirlo from AC Milan, and following their failure to qualify for the Champions League next season, Juventus are reluctant to honour that agreement. They last month made a derisory £6m offer for Aquilani, which was turned down flat.

Zavaglia had denied reports champions Milan were keen to take the former Roma man on a permanent basis, but yesterday opened the door for a move to Serie A runners-up Napoli.

"Aquilani to Napoli? I don't think it would be an easy negotiation but if the will is there why not?" said Zavaglia.

"I have not spoken to (Napoli sporting director Riccardo) Bigon but the player wants to remain in Italy.

"If something was to come up he would be happy.

"I have not spoken to Alberto but Napoli is an important club. If Napoli considered Aquilani to be an important player, he would be open to negotiations."

Aquilani made just 28 appearances for the Reds during an injury-hit debut season on Merseyside, but has three years left on his contract.

Liverpool are due to pay the final £4.4m installment of his fee to Roma by the end of June, and would be obliged to pay 5% of any future transfer fee to his former club.

Meanwhile, the Reds are set to step up their pursuit of Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy.

The 26-year-old Frenchman has emerged as one of Kenny Dalglish's top targets this summer, as he looks to strengthen what has become a problem area over the past few years.

Clichy, the Gunners' longest-serving player, has one year left to run on his contract at the Emirates, but Arsenal have resigned themselves to the fact that he will not be renewing his deal in North London.

Italian giants Inter Milan had also been interested in the French international, who joined Arsenal from Cannes in 2003, but have cooled their interest, paving the way for Liverpool to make a £5m move.

Dalglish is also keen on Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham, though Sunderland are believed to have made a significant offer for the 18-year-old striker.

Sunderland have already agreed a fee with Liverpool for the transfer of forward David Ngog, who is expected to sign for the Wearsiders once he returns from holiday next week, but have stepped up their interest in Wickham following the £16m sale of Jordan Henderson to the Reds this week.

Wickham, who is away with the England U21 squad at the European Championships in Denmark, would prefer a move to Anfield, despite reported interest from Arsenal and Tottenham, and is valued by the Suffolk club at around £10m.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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