The agent of Amauri insists his client’s future is likely to be in England. The forward has not featured for Juve since January and is set to leave the Italian club in the winter transfer window.
Amauri is a reported target of Tottenham and Fulham.
“There is a 70% chance that Amauri will play in England next season,” Amauri’s agent Ernesto Bronzetti said.
“But there is also a possibility that he could stay in Italy.”
Amauri turned down moves to Fenerbahce and Marseille in the summer.
Becks’ options
David Beckham has interest from two “big European clubs” to weigh up when he decides his playing future. The 36-year-old’s LA Galaxy contract runs out at the end of December and Beckham, who has been linked with PSG, is weighing up his options.
“I have a decision to make and I haven’t made it yet,” Beckham said.
“I’ve got options, which is amazing at my age. A couple of big European clubs are after me.
“I need to sit down with friends and family and decide what’s best for me. I might still be here next year playing.”
Beckham has always maintained he would not play for another English club after leaving Manchester United.
President backs under-fire Mangia
Palermo coach Devis Mangia has been handed a vote of confidence despite his team’s dismal run away from home. Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Juventus was Palermo’s fifth loss of the campaign.
Palermo have clinched just one point of a possible 18 on the road this season and reports in Italy believe the club is considering potential replacements for under-fire Mangia. However, Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini rubbished the rumours.
He said: “Mangia will stay. I was disappointed with the team’s performance at Juventus but I’m not angry. I will construct a strong Palermo with Mangia.”
Cruyff denies racism allegation
Johan Cruyff has denied accusations he directed a racist comment towards fellow supervisory board member Edgar Davids.
Cruyff is alleged to have suggested former Milan midfielder Davids was only nominated on to the board due to the colour of his skin. But Cruyff has dismissed the claims out of hand.
He said: “Ajax is a multi-cultural club and we have found that many talented immigrant players quit when they reach puberty.
“So we wanted to tackle this problem with someone from the same background, who had come through it. And that was Edgar Davids. During one of our fights I pointed that out to him.
“But it had nothing to do with his skin colour.”
AEK laud Caanen after exit
AEK Larnaca hailed Ton Caanen as “the most successful coach in AEK’s history” after parting company with the Dutchman following a disappointing start to the season.
Last season, the former Valletta FC coach steered the Cypriot side to a fourth-placed finish and then guided the team to the group stages of the Europa League. But at present, AEK are bottom of Group J and eighth in the league, 12 points adrift of leaders AC Omonia.
“This was a difficult decision for our club to make,” read an AEK statement.
“Without doubt, Ton Caanen has earned himself the reputation of being the most successful coach in AEK’s history and the club would like to wish him the very best.”
Awards no-show
Asia’s football body hinted it may scrap its controversial no-show, no-win rule after only two players turned up to claim the prestigious Asian Player of the Year award.
The body will try to make the award “more attractive”, an official said, after only Iran’s Hadi Aghily and Server Djeparov, of Uzbekistan, arrived ahead of tonight’s ceremony, slashing a six-strong shortlist to two.
Under a much-criticised rule which has eliminated a host of Europe-based stars from Asia’s top honour, only players who attend the annual awards show are eligible for the trophy.
But an AFC official suggested the policy was under review after shortlisted stars Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, of Japan, and Asian Cup top-scorer Koo Ja-Cheol and fellow South Korean Yeom Ki-Hun skipped the event in Kuala Lumpur.
Blinking scout
Former Middlesbrough defender Gary Parkinson is acting in a scouting role for the club, despite suffering from debilitating illness locked-in syndrome.
The 43-year-old, who represented Boro between 1986-1993, was working as head of youth with Championship club Blackpool until he suffered a severe stroke in September 2010, leaving him totally paralysed.
But with his mind still fully active, he is now helping Boro boss Tony Mowbray scout potential new signings by watching DVDs and then rating them by blinking to his wife Deborah – the only way he can communicate.