Udinese close to Carcela deal
Standard Liege midfielder set to move on
Last Updated: August 18, 2011 12:26pm
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Italian club Udinese are closing in on the signing of Standard Liege midfielder Mehdi Carcela.
Francesco Guidolin's side have made a €9.5million offer for the 22-year-old, who is expected to leave the Belgium club before the end of the transfer window.
Carcela has turned down a contract offer at Standard Liege but Udinese face competition from Spartak Moscow for the player's signature.
His agent, Jorge Vidal, told Belgian newspaper Het Nleuwsblad: "Udinese is a very serious option for Carcela.
"The transfer market will be open for another 14 days, but I don't think they will wait that long to complete the deal.
"They already offered more than Spartak Moscow.
"Mehdi isn't interested in a move to Russia. But with Russian sides you never know, they keep trying.
"Would he prefer a move to Italy? We will see about that. He is looking for a move away from Standard."
Carcela came through Standard Liege's academy and has represented Belgium in friendlies, but has since chosen to pursue an international career with Morocco.
