Source: Daily_Mail
Juventus step up Benitez pursuit and plot to snare Torres and Mascherano
Juventus left England humbled by Fulham last week - but they may have taken a step closer to appointing Rafa Benitez as their next manager.[LNB]Sunday newspaper reports claimed Juve were plotting a move for Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, but sources in Italy say the faltering Turin giants instead held renewed talks in London with Benitez's representatives.[LNB] I'll get my coat: Benitez is wanted by Juventus[LNB]No 1 target: Fernando Torres[LNB]Juve deputy director general Roberto Bettega, who has been charged withturning around the club, insists that nothing should be read into thefact that he was sitting in the same stand as Mancini at Craven Cottageon Thursday.[LNB]'Watching Fulham v Juventus was not only Mancini, but also (Fabio) Capello and Hugh Grant,' said Bettega.[LNB]'We read the names (of candidates) almost every day. It's not a question of names, but of certain choices and ideas. I have those clear in my head.'[LNB]Benitez and Bettega are friends, but the Spaniard's gold-platedcontract at Liverpool makes Juve's quest to appoint him difficult. Theyare also considering Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli as a permanentsuccessor to current caretaker boss Alberto Zaccheroni.[LNB] Fallen lady: Juventus suffer defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage[LNB] Zaccheroni's chances of landing the job permanently were crushed by exit to Fulham in the Europa League, and a 1-0 defeat by Sampdoria on Sunday leaves them sixth in Serie A and struggling to qualify for the Champions League.[LNB]And Bettega made it clear that the pressure was on. 'The objective nowis to make it to the Champions League zone of the table,' he said.[LNB]'We must not ignore the current situation but at the same time it wouldbe wrong not to think of the future. My task is not saying what isJuve's problem but acting on it.'[LNB] Midfield general: Mascherano vies with Pompey's Jamie O'Hara[LNB]Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reports that Benitez would want to take Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano with him to Turin. [LNB]But Liverpool would no doubt especially resist a bid for Spain striker Torres, who would also have reservations about leaving one underachieving team for another. Dirk Kuyt has also regularly been linked with a move to Juve by the Turin press.[LNB] Carragher vows Liverpool will finish fourth despite 10th defeat of seasonMartin Samuel: Some sinking facts for Rafa on another bad day for LiverpoolMan United 2 Liverpool 1: Unsung hero Park upstages missing man GerrardHOW WE BROKE THE STORY: Juventus offer Benitez an escape as Guus puts himself in frame for AnfieldWORLD FOOTBALL BLOG: The weekend round-up of Europe's top leaguesLIVERPOOL FC
