Juve admit RVP, Jovetic struggles

Posted Friday, July 27, 2012 by ESPN

Serie A champions Juventus are finding it tough to convince Fiorentina and Arsenal to accept their bids for Stevan Jovetic and Robin van Persie respectively.

The Italian club has been open in its admiration for the Dutch forward with public statements of intent being announced in the Italian media well before the striker decided to dismiss Arsenal's attempts to tie him down. But it appears that the early club does not always get its bid accepted as Arsenal remain squirmy over starting negotiations over the sale of their star striker.

Van Persie has also attracted bids from Manchester City and Manchester United and his future remains uncertain even as manager Arsene Wenger insisted as recently as Thursday that he hopes the striker would remain with the Gunners next season.

Jovetic, for his part, remains keen to join the Bianconeri but La Viola have remained adamant that they will not allow the player to hold any talks with any club if they did not meet their €30 million valuation.

When asked about the progress achieved by the club in the transfer market, Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta refused to confirm that a bid had been placed for the two attackers but he did hint that the difficulties lie with the reluctance of the two clubs involved as opposed to any lack of intent on part of his club.

"The top player we are looking for is not only a name with an important price-tag attached. What we mean by top player is someone who can improve our quality level," he revealed at the presentation ceremony for the Serie A 2012-13 calendar.

"Van Persie is an excellent player and Arsenal have no intention of losing him. It is not possible to negotiate for a player if the club is not open to talks.

"As for Jovetic, it's only right that Fiorentina ruled he is off the market. We never even tried to get close to him."

Juve coach Antonio Conte could face a six-month ban for his failure to report illegal activities at former club Siena. But Marotta indicated that the club remain convinced that Conte was not responsible for any wrongdoing that took place during his time with the then-Serie B side and they will continue to support him through his present ordeal.

“There is deep bitterness at seeing our members brought into the situation, as they are very professional and fair, so we believe in their good faith,” he stated.

“We have handed the reins to Conte, we’re happy with him and he will be Juventus coach now and in the future, regardless of the outcome of the sentence.
"We will find a solution.”

Juve kickstart their new campaign against Parma while arch-rivals AC Milan host Sampdoria in their opening fixture.