Juve: 'No Jovetic talks yet'

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta insists “no decision is imminent” over Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic.

Reports continue to circulate that an initial offer was turned down, so the Bianconeri raised it to €12m plus Under-21 international midfielder Luca Marrone.

“Don’t say cat if it’s not in the sack,” smiled Marotta on Sky Sport Italia, quoting a famous and bizarre proverb used by Giovanni Trapattoni.

“That doesn’t mean we are not active, but the situation is not yet developed enough. Some clubs still need to settle down.

“We have begun to enquire after a few players, but no decision is imminent, let alone is it the time to be making announcements.

“The objective is to create a complete squad for the start of pre-season training in July. We are following various profiles with specific technical and tactical characteristics. At Juventus you must sweat to earn your first team shirt.”

The rapport with Fiorentina is tense and last night patron Diego Della Valle bitterly criticised Juve board member John Elkann, calling him ‘a kid who does not understand the world has changed.’

“This is perfectly normal verbal jousting between business magnates that will not affect any negotiations between the clubs,” assured Marotta.

“Jovetic? He is very talented, but we have not begun talks for him.”