Juventus are trying to sign Cagliari's Radja Nainggolan

Giuseppe Marotta confirms Juventus are trying to sign Cagliari's Radja Nainggolan... The transfer guru has admitted to talks with Massimo Cellino over a possible deal to bring in the Belgian starlet, while also revealing Luca Toni is closing in on a move to Al Nasr

Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that the club are keen on landing Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan before January 31.

The 23-year-old is expected to become a Bianconeri player in the near future, according to reports in the Italian media, and the former Sampdoria director has now validated these claims after stating his interest in concluding a deal prior to the closure of the transfer window.

"Nainggolan is a player that interests us. I have talked with [Cagliari president] Massimo Cellino but there is no real negotiation," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia before Juventus' match against Udinese on Saturday.

"We are trying to bring him to Turin as early as January, but there are many things to evaluate and first of all we must find out if Cagliari are willing to sell him.

"We will try to seize any opportunity, even if I do not see one at the moment for us because we have a strong group of players, further enhanced by the arrivals of [Martin] Caceres and [Marco] Borriello."

Marotta also revealed out-of-favour striker Luca Toni is on the verge of joining UAE club Al Nasr, with the 34-year-old's move set to be ratified on Sunday.

"[Regarding Toni] his transfer to Al Nasr is not official yet, but we believe that we will close the deal tomorrow," he concluded.

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Rocco Siffredi vs. Gianluigi Buffon

Adult film star offers job to Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon after wife's sex comments... The Italy No.1 has been asked to enter the adult film business by a well-known porn star after the shot stopper's wife praised her husband's skills in the bedroom

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has received a rather unusual job offer when he decides to hang up his gloves - a career in the porn industry.

The 34-year-old's wife, Alena, told Italian women's magazine Verrisimo that her husband was "better in bed than Rocco Siffredi", a famous porn star.

Siffredi has responded to the comments in an interview with Tuttosport and is keen for the Italy No.1 to showcase his talents in the bedroom.

"He [Buffon] may be even better than me in bed, but I want to see him in front of the camera. Buffon is still a kid compared to me. I will make a suggestion: when he stops playing, he should come work for me. I need real men," Siffredi said.

The comments come a week after Kevin-Prince Boateng's girlfriend, Melissa Satta, claimed the reason for the player's recent injury woes was because of the couple's active sex life.

Buffon is yet to comment on the offer as he focuses on helping Juve's Scudetto bid.

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Teams of Euro 2012: Republic of Ireland

Another week and another profile ahead of this summer's European Championships. Today, we welcome guest writer William Brophy on to the site to take us through his home nation, the Republic of Ireland…

Manager: Giovanni Trapattoni
Captain: Robbie Keane
Best previous Euros performance
Group stage 1988
Qualified via
Runners-up of Group B; defeated Estonia 5-1 on aggregate in play-off
FIFA ranking: 23rd
Tournament odds: 66/1

It has been ten long years for the Republic of Ireland since their last involvement in an international competition. Ten years that have seen the Celtic Tiger break, the banks fail, a Taoiseach (Prime minister) resign under serious allegations, three new managers, no Eurovision song contest victory and the rise of Jedward. It has been ten long, hard years for the Irish people.

But finally, they are back.

The breaking of this ten year absence from the international tournament scene can be put down to the remarkable workings of Giovanni Trapattoni. As the third most decorated manager in club football, Trapattoni had previously struggled at international level, guiding Italy to early exits at the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 Euros, but he has found his feet with the Irish national side. The man dubbed O'Trapattoni has found Ireland a solid base for his defensive-minded tactics. A lack of truly skilled players, a fact not lost on the Irish players; Stephen Hunt is quoted as saying "Messi and Ronaldo don't have Irish passports", means that Ireland have to put their faith into a simple and defensively minded 4-4-2 and on the superb shot-stopper that is Shay Given. This style has lead to criticism of Trapattoni, with Irish pundit Eamon Dunphy claiming he would be ashamed to bring a child to watch Ireland play. And whilst it's true the Irish style of play can be difficult to watch, the Irish do it well. They defend stubbornly and with great resilience and in their qualification group they conceded a total of just seven goals in ten games. The same amount as Germany allowed.

The pursuit of a passing game for the sake of entertainment would just lead to a free-fall down the FIFA World Rankings and a series of losses. The Irish midfield options include Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan and Darron Gibson. Whilst they are players of reasonable standard, make them attempt a passing game against the Spanish and Ireland would be on the receiving end of a cricket score. Ireland do not have the skill or the patience to attempt to dominate possession, and this summer they will seek to absorb pressure and inflict damage on the opposition through counter attacks and set-pieces. It is also worth remembering that Ireland draw their squad from the lower end of the Premier League and the Championship meaning that to attempt any other approach to the game would be suicidal against the calibre of sides that Ireland will face in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

How far this tactic will get them is hard to determine. Ireland are in a group with Spain, Italy and Croatia, one of the cruellest hands Ireland could be dealt after their time in the wilderness. However the Irish will be as optimistic as ever. The Boys in Green have a habit of giving the better nations a tough time, as Holland learned in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup and Spain came within a penalty shoot-out of learning during the finals. The belief that they can do it again will be present. Whether or not Ireland can do it three consecutive times is a different story. The level of focus that his side will require for three consecutive games will be Trapattoni's biggest issue, knowing that in a group of that quality a single mistake could cost Ireland their slim chances of qualification to the knockout stages.

Whilst the belief will be there with the Irish national side, the expectation will not. Only the most ardent of Ireland fans seriously expects progression to the next round, and the Irish fans will be happy to see their side appear on the international side once again. The real expectation of Irish fans is gutsy, never-say-die performances which have become the trademark of Ireland in years gone by. And the neutral can expect the Irish fans to be amongst the best in the tournament, with Poznan bracing itself for a full-on Irish invasion this summer. Mr Dunphy may not want his ticket for Ireland's appearances in the Euros, but I'm sure there will be plenty of Irish fans who are more than willing to take it off his hands for him.

Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) Shay Given; John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Stephen Ward; Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady; Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle

Key Player: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa, England) – Whilst many will pick Robbie Keane as the key man for Ireland, with the world class opponents in the group in mind the focus has to be on defence. There is no-one more vital to the Irish defence than Richard Dunne. His performance in Russia embodied the Irish mentality of never-say-die and his marshalling of the defence will have to be perfect to give Ireland hope of bettering the Spanish, Italians or the Croatians. His relationship with Given is going to be one of the most important aspects of the Irish game, and the pair playing together at Aston Villa can only be a good thing for the Irish side.

Player to watch: Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow, Rep. of Ireland) – With his recent performances looking sharp, I'd be more inclined to pick Sunderland youngster James McLean if I could be certain he'd be on the plane. In the absence of this knowledge I'll go for Aiden McGeady. McGeady will be three months into his Russian season, so there will be no fear of rustiness and little fear of fatigue which could plague the other players in the tournament (especially Spain if Barcelona and/or Real Madrid reach the latter stages of the Champions League which is highly feasible) and this could just give the ex-Celtic man the edge as he charges down the wing for Ireland. As well as this McGeady will be used to the climate and the pitch quality having played in the Russian Premier League since 2010. Seemingly a few minor details, but they may just allow Aiden McGeady to shine this summer.
Football Project

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Real Madrid, Inter Milan contacted about Luis Suarez

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is being hawked around Europe, it has been revealed.

The People says representatives have been sounding out several clubs, including Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid about Suarez, 25. And while he has turned in some impressive displays since his £25million move from Ajax last year, Liverpool have struggled for goals.

"And the club’s attacking unit could be overhauled at the end of the season, with £35m Andy Carroll failing to fit in. Suarez has scored just one Premier League goal since his confrontation with Patrice Evra in October. "

A major stumbling block in Real’s bid to sign him is that his agent is Pere Guardiola, brother of Pep, boss of Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic could end career in MLS

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has indicated the AC Milan star could finish his career in Major League Soccer.

The 30-year old Sweden international is once again in brilliant form this season with 14 Serie A goals and four goals in European competition for the Rossoneri where he could remain for a few more years.

But his representative, Mino Raiola, suggests that perhaps Ibrahimovic could make the move to the USA once his days at the San Siro are up.

""Ibrahimovic will end his career at AC Milan - at least his career playing at the highest level,” he told GR Parlamento. "

"AC Milan will be his last top European club.

"In the future I don't know. He could go to America. I don't see him in China and Russia would be difficult.”

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Barcelona's 'big four' together for first time

Frank Rijkaard will today have his full Barcelona squad together for the first time this preseason.

Back after their tour of the Far East, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi will all be on the same training pitch for the first time when Rijkaard's takes their session at 7pm this afternoon.

New signing Gaby Milito will also be introduced to Barca's players after missing the Asian tour, like Messi, due to his Copa America commitments with Argentina. Midfield ace Deco is expected at Masia today after missing Barca's tour for the birth of newborn son David.

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Rangers sign Swedish youngster Mervan Celik

Rangers sign Sweden Under-21 international Mervan Celik on three-and-a-half-year deal
The Scandinavian is set to make his debut for Ally McCoist's men against Hibernian in a week's time as he awaits international clearance after being signed as a free agent

Scottish Premier League outfit Rangers have signed 21-year-old Mervan Celik in a three-and-a-half-year deal that will see the Swede at Ibrox until the 2014-15 season.

Celik became a free agent after his contract with Swedish top flight outfit GAIS expired in the summer and is set to wear the No.24 shirt, which has been vacant since Madjid Bougherra left for Qatar’s Lekhwiya last year.

The Sweden Under-21 international will not be available to play in Saturday’s league outing against Aberdeen as he is yet to gain international clearance.

The youngster is likely to start against Hibernian in a week’s time however.

"He's very direct and very, very competitive," said Rangers boss Ally McCoist.

"He can get by people, he can score goals. He can certainly play wide and we've seen him go through the middle as well.

"He's an all-action player that hopefully the fans will take to.

"More importantly, he will be a goalscoring threat when we get him in the team."

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