Juve deny tracking Flamini
01 Mar 2008 - 11:22:11
Juventus' sporting director Alessio Secco has denied recent press reports suggesting that the Italian club were closing in on a deal to sign Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.
The 23-year-old Frenchman is out of contract with the Gunners at the end of the season and rumours had suggested that Juve were ready to move in if talks over a new deal stalled.
However, Secco told the club's official website: "We have never tracked Flamini. We have publicly complemented the player, but there has never been anything concrete.
"In fact, (chief executive) Jean-Claude Blanc spoke to an Arsenal director on the phone to reassure him that we have no intention of interfering with their contract negotiations with Flamini.
"It was a gesture to ensure that we keep good relations between two of Europe's great sides."
Flamini joined the Gunners in the summer of 2004 from Marseille and has made nearly 150 appearances for the north London club, scoring eight goals in all competitions.
