Source: PA
Aquilani intent on staying in Italy
On-loan Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has expressed his desire to remain at Juventus long term - even though Reds manager Kenny Dalglish suggested he could stay on at Anfield.
The 26-year-old lasted just one injury-troubled season on Merseyside after his £17million move from Roma. He started to show glimpses of his true form towards the end of the 2009/10 campaign but the departure of Rafael Benitez, the man who brought him to England, effectively sealed his fate.
Benitez's successor Roy Hodgson ushered the Italy international out on loan after just two pre-season friendlies and a couple of substitute appearances in a Europa League qualifier.
Dalglish, however, is an admirer of the midfielder's talents and said on Thursday: "He could be coming back to play for Liverpool. He could be a valuable asset here next season."
Aquilani though seems intent on remaining in his homeland, although with Juventus apparently unwilling to pay the £14million fee agreed at the outset of his loan deal, his future remains unclear.
"My situation is simple. It all depends on Juventus - if they want to, (they can) buy me without asking anyone's opinion," Aquilani told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I would like to stay in Turin for a long time and win a lot. I want to be a protagonist in the new winning cycle that is opening up at Juventus. I have no doubt that Juve's project is a winner, they just need a little patience."
