Barzagli set for Juventus

Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli will move to Juventus at the end of the season, Rosanero sporting director Rino Foschi has suggested.

The Bianconeri have been linked with the 25-year-old for some time, with whispers claiming a switch almost occurred during the summer.

But Foschi has now revealed that the former Under-21 international is likely to complete a switch at the end of the current campaign.

“Barzagli is destined for Juve, it is very difficult to block a player like him,” said Foschi in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.

“We bought him from Chievo in 2004 for £4.6m and we will earn £10m from his sale, so we can’t complain.

“We must also thank Nicolas Burdisso if Barzagli landed here, as he preferred to move to Inter when we already had an agreement with Boca Juniors.”

The Sicilian official also confirmed that his outfit are still interested in netting Chievo man Franco Semioli during the January transfer market.

“If Semioli will agree to a move then we will definitely be glad to welcome him,” added the former Venezia director.

“There is only one transfer operation that I would not repeat and that is sell Luca Toni to one of our direct competitors for that amount of money. President Maurizio Zamparini wanted to keep him but I didn’t listen.

“Amauri instead was a very good buy for us and I am happy that Carlos Dunga didn’t call him up for the Brazilian national team.

“This means he will not have to face stressful trips overseas and he may also be useful to Roberto Donadoni’s Nazionale, as his Italian passport will be ready in a month’s time.”