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Juventus want to serve up Georgios Samaras
JUVENTUS are set to pip Serie A rivals Lazio and Sampdoria as well as several Premiership clubs after opening talks with Celtic to sign striker Georgios Samaras.
The Italian giants made their move yesterday after failing to land two other signing targets, Diego Forlan at Athletico Madrid and Luis Fabiano of Seville.
Samaras who will be 26 next month is out of contract in the summer and has so far refused to sign a new contract at Parkhead.
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Juve sources say they would prefer to take the Greek international on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer but are prepared to make a cut price offer of around £500,000 to land him before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Insiders have also confirmed that talks have already taken place with Samaras's agents who believe the Serie A is now his preferred option.
Juventus are set to pip Serie A rivals Lazio after opening talks with Celtic to sign striker Georgios Samaras
Advisor Gregory Ionnadis says it would be a "perfect marriage" for the World Cup star insisting that he is Francesco Totti,Napoli ace Edinson Cavani and Juve striker Amauri rolled into one !
"The game in Italy required great speed and technical ability and that is perfectly suited to the characteristics of Georgios." he added.
"If an Italian club were to acquire his services it absolutely would not be a mistake. He's at the peak of his career.
"Is Samaras ready to be the successor to Totti, Amauri or Cavani? They are all great players, but they are all different from Georgios.
"He is a mixture of their best skills.
"Under Gordon Strachan, he did really well for Celtic. On his best days, he can be really unstoppable especially when playing as a lone striker. His technical skills are so high, he could unlock any defence.
"You saw what he did in the World Cup against Argentina and the recent match against Rangers."