Juve tight-lipped on Alonso

Serie A giants looking to bolster midfield options

By Nadia Carminati   Last updated: 5th July 2008

Xabi Alonso ITV

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Juventus are refusing to confirm they are still chasing Liverpool's Spain international midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Serie A giants are looking to bolster their midfield options this summer but have stated they will not rush a decision on who to sign.

Although the Old Lady have a healthy budget to spend this close-season to reinforce Claudio Ranieri's squad, they have yet to agree a fee for Alonso.

"We have never named names. It's an important decision and we'll consider it at length because the final choice must be within our budget," Juve's chief officer Jean Claude Blanc told the Italian media.

Right time

"We spend the right time evaluating players. It will be an investment of between 10 and 30million euros (£8million - £23.7million).

"We will talk things over at length with Claudio Ranieri and his staff."

Although Alonso is being hotly tipped to move to the Stadio Delle Alpi this summer, Ranieri has more than one name on his midfielder wanted list.

"There are more than two names we are considering to strengthen our midfield," explained the former Chelsea tactician.

Improve the side

"We will choose the player who gives us the best opportunity to improve to this side."

Juve have reached this season's UEFA Champions League qualifying round after finishing third in Serie A and Ranieri wants his troops to make the group stage of the competition.

"We are really keen on making the Champions League proper," he continued.

"For this reason we must immediately overcome the preliminaries. Serie A will be surely competitive too."