AS Roma Sign Maicon

AS Roma has signed former Inter and Manchester City defender Maicon. The Brazillian right back was largely underused last season, making just nine appearances.

Maicon was back in the Italian news after transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio suggested the Giallorossi had renewed their interest in the Brazil international.

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Vidal: I want to stay at Juventus

Arturo Vidal has ruled out a move to Real Madrid, insisting that he wants to stay at Juventus.

The midfielder, 26, has been linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, with reports suggesting los Blancos have bid as high as €36 million for the Chilean, but he is adamant that he will stay with the Italian champions.

"I’m flattered by Real Madrid’s interest in me, but I want to stay at Juventus," he said at a press conference on Friday.

"It’s nice to know that the club have turned down such an important offer for me without giving it a second thought."

Juve general director Giuseppe Marotta has stressed the importance of Vidal to Antonio Conte's squad and hopes that a contract extension will be a formality in the near future.

"He is a strong player and a reference point for Juventus going forward," he told reporters. "We are in contact with his agents. It will not be a problem to come to an agreement for a contract renewal."

Vidal has a contract at the Juventus Stadium until 2016.

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Napoli sign Rafael Cabral

Napoli have completed the signing of Santos goalkeeper Rafael Cabral for a reported €5 million.

The Partenopei had been heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old in recent weeks, and the Brazilian giants confirmed a deal has been struck which will see the youngster join the Naples-based outfit on a five-year-deal.

Serie A rivals Roma had reportedly entered the race to sign the stopper but, speaking to Santos' official website, Rafael confirmed the promise of Champions League football available at Stadio San Paolo heavily influenced his decision.

He said: "I have the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, with one of the five best coaches in the world who has won the Champions League [Rafael Benitez]. All of this weighed heavily in my decision."

Rafael, who initially joined the Peixe as a 13-year-old, had previously expressed a desire to retire at the Vila Belmiro - a promise he intends to keep despite opting for a move to Europe.

"I've always had a desire to end my career here," he added.

"However, I have a dream of playing in the Champions League and becoming a champion of Europe, but I still wish to end my career at Santos."

The Brazil international conceded just 208 times in 194 games, at an average of just 1.07 per game, in his three years as first choice goalkeeper.

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AC Milan sign Andrea Poli

AC Milan have announced they have secured the signing of Andrea Poli from Sampdoria on a co-ownership deal for an undisclosed fee, with Bartosz Salamon moving in the opposite direction.



The 23-year-old had already been training with Milan since the start of the week, but the transfer had yet to be finalised as both clubs were still in talks over Poland international Salamon.

However, after an agreement was finally reached, Poli has signed a four-year deal with the Rossoneri to wrap up the deal, with the club confirming the news on their official website.

Poli is a product of the Treviso youth academy, but joined Sampdoria at the age of 18. He had since developed into a key player at the Genoa side, making close to 100 official appearances in the past few years.

The Italy international previously wore the jersey of Milan's arch-rivals Inter in 2011-12, but the Nerazzurriopted not to use their option to buy the midfielder after his loan spell.

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Sassuolo Complete Signing Of Former AC Milan Defender

Newly promoted Sassuolo have completed the signing of Italian defender Francesco Acerbi in a co-ownership deal.

The 25-year-old joins the Neroverde from Genoa in a deal that is reportedly worth €3.5 million.

Acerbi only made 17 league appearances last season, splitting time between AC Milan and Chievo. He also appeared in two matches for the Rossoneri during their Champions League campaign.

The defender saw half his rights bought by Milan at the beginning of the 2012/13 for €4m but failed to impress for the Italian giants.

As a result, the Rossoneri sold their share in the player to Genoa as part of the deal that saw 50% of Kevin Constant sold to the Rossoneri before being loaned out to the Flying Donkeys.

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