Juventus mulling over move for Kalou

May 1, 2012 12:00:00 PM

The Ivorian is out of contract at the end of the season and has attracted interest from around Europe but the Bianconeri are still not sure whether to bring the forward to Turin

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Juventus have yet to decide whether to join the race to sign Chelsea attacker Salomon Kalou, Goal.com understands.

The Ivory Coast international is out of contract at the end of the season and is unlikely to pen a new contract with the Blues at this late stage.

Consequently, Kalou has reportedly attracted the interest of a number of Chelsea's Premier League rivals, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all said to be keen on snapping up the 26-year-old on a free transfer.

However, Goal.com has learned that Kalou has also been offered to Italian giants Juventus. Indeed, a known Fifa-registered agent has been in regular contact with the Bianconeri over the phone, urging the Old Lady to make a move for the player.

Kalou is viewed as an attractive, low-cost alternative to Simone Pepe but Juve have yet to make up their mind on the matter.

The Bianconeri's sporting director, Fabio Paratici, has been a regular visitor to Stamford Bridge this season and attended Chelsea's Champions League clash with Barcelona last month with the specific intention of watching Kalou in action.

However, it is believed that Paratici also retains an interest in Blues midfielder Raul Meireles and striker Didier Drogba.

The 39-year-old director's frequent trips to west London may also have had something to do with the fact that Chelsea made an enquiry in January about taking Juve's out-of-favour winger Milos Krasic on loan for the remainder of the season.

However, that idea was immediately rejected by the Serie A leaders, who are only willing to entertain a permanent transfer for a player who has been deemed surplus to requirements by coach Antonio Conte this season.

Regardless of whether Chelsea decide to make another move for Krasic, the Serb is destined to leave Turin in the summer, but it is uncertain whether Kalou will be brought in in his place.

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Live!

Champions League final - LIVE!

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

11:00 PM BST

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has finally faced the press and, judging by his comments, is a tad upset with perhaps something other than the final scoreline.

"First and foremost, congratulations to Bayern Munich because they won so it's not important to speak about what happened in the game," he told ITV1. "After the game you have to respect the result and that's what we do now.

"I didn't see (Robben's) goal. It was a free-kick and we were not in the right formation at that moment. It was late in the game and it has been a really hard season for us. But Bayern Munich had to fight too. We deserved to be in the final and we showed this tonight."

10:56 PM BST

Sir Alex Ferguson also has a new job... Well, kind of. The former Manchester United boss was entrusted with the honour of presenting the man of the match award after the game and relished the task: "It's my first job since I retired and it's a pleasure!"

Robben humbly received his accolade before commenting: "I think it’s such a shame a world-class trainer is leaving the game." Quite.

10:51 PM BST

Heynckes, class act that he is, was also quick to empathise with a devastated Dortmund.

"I told their players: I know your disappointment after losing a final. I lost a final to Liverpool, too.

"During the first half we had trouble to get into the game. At half-time a adjusted our play. I think both teams felt pressure. If you see that you have a 25-point-lead in the league, it is normal you are the favourite. But after 30 minutes we freed ourselves.

"Over the past year, we improved and improved. We improved and modified so many details. I was stricter and I have to say that the players followed me and there is harmony in the dressing room."

10:48 PM BST

And finally we get to hear from Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola this summer.

The big news is, though, that he seems to have a job lined up for himself, which restores one's faith in our fickle game, given the man is now a two-time Champions League winner!

"The decision on what I will do after the DFB Pokal match (against Stuttgart next saturday) was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the DFB Pokal final."

10:43 PM BST

Here's a snap feature from the brilliant Kris Voakes, who praises Arjen Robben for finally conquering his demons to secure European glory for Bayern Munich.

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Dortmund 1-2 Bayern
Goal.com rates the players on show as die Roten edge out their Bundesliga rivals to complete the double after a closely contested Champions League final at Wembley
Robben is finally Bayern's braveheart
The winger was the driving force behind the German outfit's triumph after years of playing second fiddle in the final
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants Isco at Chelsea
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements

Goal.com