Juventus sign Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool on loan
It’s quite normal for a new manager to discard players bought by the previous manager. Liverpool’s man in-charge Roy Hodgson has decided to loan the last buy conducted by former manager Rafael Benitez.
Hodgson said that Alberto Aquilani may be sent on a loan to a club in his home country Italy. The midfielder has not had the best time at Anfield since making the move from Italy last season. He was brought in for 20 million pounds by Benitez, following the exit of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. However, even when he was signed, Alberto was recovering from a foot injury due to which he spent most of his early time on the bench for Liverpool. Later, when he was eventually given a go, Alberto failed to impress largely because he had the enormous boots of Xabi Alonso to fill.
Liverpool played Trabzonspor in midweek for their Europa league play off. Soon after the match, Hodgson said that there is no doubt about Alberto’s talent but he needs some experience. Roy added that for now, there is enough strength in the midfield for him and he would like to give Aquilani an opportunity to play first team football at some other club back home so he could gain his fitness and form. Hodgson reiterated that Alberto will be playing for Liverpool in the future and said that the loan move was to benefit the midfielder grow into the first team for Liverpool. Hodgson said that he chose not to use Aquilani in the 1-0 win against Trabzonspor because when the loan deal does go through, he could have been cup tied.
A day after the announcement from Hodgson that he was looking to loan out Aquilani to an Italian club, it was announced that Italia giants Juventus has agreed on terms to sign the 26-year-old on a loan deal.
Hodgson said that it would be good for Alberto to play in Italy and regain his confidence. The manager added that he is familiar with the surroundings and the teams over there. Roy added that maybe Alberto did not adjust that well in England initially but once he has his form and confidence back, it would not be a problem to fit him back in Liverpool.
Franco Zavaglia, the agent for Aquilani confirmed that a deal was finalised between Liverpool and Juventus for a loan deal. He said that at the moment, the deal is on loan but Juventus will have the option of buying the player at the end of the deal. According to the contract, Juventus will be paying Alberto’s wages.
Franco said that the documentation and paper work has almost been done. He further added that an official announcement from both the clubs is expected sooner than later.
Aquilani was brought to Liverpool by former manager Rafael Benitez from Italian Club AS Roma for 20 million pounds. Benitez at the time had said that this is one for the long term and the club would love to invest time and effort in such a player. It was unfortunate for Alberto that the man who brought him to Anfield left soon after. Prior to that, it was his own fitness issues that kept him out of the team. In his only season for Liverpool, he scored just one goal.
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