Juve open Diego talks

Turin giants move for Brazilian midfielder

By Nadia Carminati & Thomas Zocher   Last updated: 7th May 2009  

Juve open Diego talks

Diego: Wanted man

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Juventus and Werder Bremen have confirmed that they are in talks regarding Brazilian playmaker Diego.

Juve have been tracking the former Porto man for some time, making the 24-year-old their prime target this summer.

Bremen have been understandably reluctant to open discussions regarding the sale of their prized asset, but have bowed to pressure.

An agreement still remains some way off, but it appears increasingly likely that Diego will be heading to Serie A in the near future.

Juventus officials were in Germany to speak with their Werder counterparts on Wednesday and Bremen boss Klaus Allofs has confirmed that a formal approach from the Italians has been made.

"There has been a meeting and very concrete talks were held," he told Kicker Sportmagazin.

Hopeful

Juve president Giovanni Cobolloi Gigli has also verified that productive talks have taken place between the two clubs, and he remains optimistic that Diego will be in Turin next term.

"We are hoping to be able to close the deal, but it is not closed yet," he said.

The Serie A giants could face competition for Diego's signature from Bayern Munich, who are keen to keep him in the Bundesliga, but Gigli insists he knows nothing of interest from any other parties.

"I don't know (about Bayern's interest) but we are in the process of arranging a transfer," he said.

"However, you (the press) have taught me that in the football world anything can happen as long as nothing has been signed."