BREAKING NEWS - Luca Toni Joins Bayern!

[Morrison]

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/jun29a.html

Palermo sporting director Rino Foschi has insisted that star striker Luca Toni will not be sold this summer.

A split seemed to be on the cards after the Sicilian club were linked with Brescia ace Andrea Caracciolo – a player similar in style to Toni.

But Foschi has maintained that the target man will remain despite Fiorentina’s apparent interest in him.

"There is no Toni problem to resolve," he told Datasport. "The player is currently on holiday but he will be back with us in pre-season, that is for sure."

Toni scored 20 League goals in the last campaign as Palermo finished sixth, ensuring an historic UEFA Cup place.

But Foschi has looked to calm enthusiasm at the Stadio Renzo Barbera ahead of the new term.

"We need to ensure our Serie A status as soon as possible in the new campaign," he continued. "Only after that should we think about entertaining the fans.

"It won’t be easy to repeat last season’s achievements but we will certainly give it our best shot."

[hanuma]

how old is toni and would either he or vuicinic be good enough for chelsea.

btw to be good at chelsea you need to be able to play up front on your own.

[Morrison]

i guess that he is 29... He is really ****ing good target player..

[Morrison]

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...lia/jul3g.html

Palermo have conceded Luca Toni could join Fiorentina to double his wages, while Cesare Prandelli outlines his ‘Brazilian’ tactical plans.

Toni’s future has been the subject of confusion after a week of mixed messages from Palermo. President Maurizio Zamparini first announced, “If he wants a pay rise then he must hope someone like Milan, Juventus or Inter come for him,” then changed his tune and insisted the striker was not for sale.

Now director of sport Rino Foschi has once again opened the door for a potential move to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

“Toni is not a mercenary. He is just tempted by what could be the opportunity of a lifetime. He has done a great deal for Palermo, but it’s true that we have a salary cap and we don’t wish to break it. We’ll sit round a table soon and together will decide his future.”

There were reports this week that Fiorentina had offered a combined £10m for both Toni and teammate Cristian Zaccardo, but Palermo are unwilling to part with the full-back.

However, latest claims suggest that Toni would be available for just £8m – not far off the current Viola offer of £6.6m.

Above all, Fiorentina would be willing to hand the Italian international a contract worth £1.3m per season, doubling his current wages in Sicily. Palermo already have Toni’s replacement on their books, as Andrea Caracciolo arrived from Brescia earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Coach Cesare Prandelli has outlined his bold new tactical set-up for next year’s Fiorentina squad.

“All my teams are based on a four-man defence and that will not change,” said the former Parma boss. “I am very impressed with Brazil’s 4-2-2-2 system used in the Confederations Cup and I hope that Fiorentina, like the Seleçao, can encourage young fans to fall in love with football.”

[hanuma]

lmfao...impressed with that shambolic 4222 that is very depressing.

[Muscolino18]

Great to watch though.

[hanuma]

not really...they will get slaughtered the second they come up against someone decent...and thye were crap before the final.

[Muscolino18]

Yes, I agree they were..but I for one enjoy watching exciting players; that includes Kaka, 'dinho, Adriano and Robinho.

[Morrison]

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...lia/jul5i.html

Palermo have confirmed they are ready to sell star striker Luca Toni if an offer of at least £11m is made.

The Italian international has been linked with a summer exit but President Maurizio Zamparini insists he won’t let him go on the cheap.

"Luca Toni will not be leaving here for less than £11m," the Sicilian chief told the stadionews.it website.

Fiorentina are very interested in the forward but have reportedly only bid £11m for Toni and teammate Cristian Zaccardo.

However, Zamparini is unimpressed by the way Viola sporting director Pantaleo Corvino is conducting himself.

"He’s always tried to be crafty," added Zamparini. "He targets 20 players and causes great chaos. I think he’s simply creating smoke for no reason."

Toni has netted 50 League goals in two seasons at the Renzo Barbera but talks over a new contract have seemed to spoil their relationship.

The former Brescia man said last week that things would not be the same at Palermo anymore, a statement which has angered his employer.

"He is still too much of a kid to take part in important discussions, he should leave them up to me," concluded Zamparini.

Meanwhile, Palermo are reportedly close to signing Galatasaray goalkeeper Faryd Ali Mondragon.

The Colombian shot-stopper, 34, still has one-year left on his contract with the Turkish giants.

[CantonaStillGod]

That's a wee bit steep aint it

[Jager]

Palermo striker Luca Toni is on the verge of joining Fiorentina after a fee was agreed between the two clubs.

The announcement was made by Viola sporting director Pantaleo Corvino following lengthy talks.

"Palermo have accepted our offer of £7.2m," Corvino said this evening. "Now we will have to sort out details with the player."

Toni, scorer of 50 League goals over the last two seasons, is expected to sign a four-year contract worth £1m a season.

The move has been on the cards for weeks even if talks have been difficult given Palermo’s initial asking price of £10m.

However, the outfit’s capture of striker Stephen Makinwa yesterday has unblocked the situation.

The young Nigerian will now partner Andrea Caracciolo next season after his move from Brescia last month.

"I am happy to have fulfilled the ambition of the Palermo President," Makinwa told BBC Sport after quitting Atalanta.

"He has been talking in the Press about how much he admires me and I won't let him down.

"I'm happy that a big club like Inter showed interest in me, but in football a decision has to be made and I'm happy Palermo matched words with action.

"It would have been nice to play alongside Obafemi Martins (at Inter) but my future and ambition now lies with Palermo and that is a massive challenge for me."

I would rather have Miccoli, however Toni will do and not bad of replacement.

[Rosa]

Different players, but Toni is good.

[Jager]

Totally different, I think Toni was joining, regardless if they lost Miccoli or not.

[Morrison]

Toni, Gamberini, Fiore, Pancaro, Frey, Donadel. Good offseason by that team but i want to see a really good right back, central defender and a midfielder who are a playmaker like Tomas Rosicky.

My opionion?
RB: Miguel/Sagnol/Kromkamp/Cicinho
CD: Di Biagio
CM: Rosicky

[Muscolino18]

La Gazzetta is convinced Juventus will sign Miguel. I hope so.