[m1ke]

Udinese have sent shockwaves around Serie A by confirming that Vincenzo Iaquinta has been frozen out of the squad for refusing to sign a contract extension.

“With great personal regret I realised today that Iaquinta is the only one of our lads who doesn’t see himself as part of the Udinese project aimed at achieving certain goals,” explained director general Pietro Leonardi in a statement on the official club website this evening.

“All of the other players in the squad proved their deep faith in the essence of Udinese by each renewing their contracts without exception. Iaquinta has today placed himself outside of the project.”

Iaquinta was not part of the squad set to face Juventus on Wednesday evening and, at first, it had been reported that he was suffering from flu symptoms.

However, the shock truth emerged and Udinese have chosen to freeze out the man who scored a hat-trick in their Champions League debut against Panathinaikos.

“In the hope that he can take a more reasonable attitude, for the good of the squad we will in the meantime leave space to those who believe in the objectives of the group.”

[m1ke]

I wonder how much they would want? Would you want him at Milan?

[amancik]

yes for free ... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)

[Smoje]

Iaquinta MUST COME to Ac Milan to substitute Inzaghi or Vieri, he is in better form that Gilardino.

Do you remember when Barcelona try to sign Iaquinta?

Udinese and Ac Milan have good relationship between them, so if the player don't like to stay in Udine, Ac Milan in January can sign him (but he can't play CL).

A good signing IMHO

[yourfavoritemuse]

He'd be cheap(er) too, being cup-tied. Even if the focus should really be on acquiring defenders, if Iaquinta is still available in January...well, he's a good player and if Udinese don't want him, why not? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Boban]

hes a top striker and all but 5 strikers how are we going to rotate these players somone is bound to be unhappy and would want to leave ?? thats what you have to think about but also another we need to spend money on the defence but if hes free then that would be alright

[kdman]

If he comes cheap or free, why not? We certainly need another striker seeing as Pippo isn;t likely to be back to his best and Vieri won't last more than two seasons at the most. That effectively leaves us with two strikers. Though I would prefer Cassano. However, we shouldn't forget the priority is the DEFENCE.

[milan_man_22]

GREAT.....right before the Juve game........how do they get so many breaks

[m1ke]

Udinese have revealed that they intend to sell contract rebel Vincenzo Iaquinta during the January transfer window.

The player has been sensationally axed from the squad after the two parties failed to agree terms to extend his present deal.

Udinese are unwilling to meet his wage demands and the striker now faces the prospect of spending the next three months on the sidelines.

"The player lacks the stimulus to stay here and it would be better to find an alternative solution," said Udinese chief Gianpaolo Pozzo.

"He wants to leave and we will therefore find a new team for him in January. We’ll see what we can do because he wants to join a big club."

However, Iaquinta – who missed last night’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus – maintains he is ready to remain at the Friuli.

"I would like to repeat what I said last week, even before I met with the club to discuss a possible renewal," he noted.

"I’m happy to have remained alongside my splendid teammates, the coaches who have great faith in me and the marvellous fans who have offered me unforgettable moments."

Iaquinta’s controversial exclusion from the squad has inevitably fuelled the suspicious nature of Italian football.

The fact that he still has almost two years left on his deal, and that he was dropped on the eve of the Juve match, have not gone unnoticed by those in the game.

"It is very, very strange," stated Inter owner Massimo Moratti. "His contract doesn’t expire until 2007 and there is plenty of time.

"It is even stranger that all this occurred just before the Juventus match…"

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti added: "I think that a lot of weird things are happening in thisfootball world.

"It can’t be possible that a player who has two years to run on his contract can be in such a position."

Unconfirmed allegations are already suggesting that Juventus may be preparing a New Year bid for the Italian international.

[Boban]

italian soccer thingo are investigating this situation so it should be good to see what happens... because when they freeze him out befor juventus match they lose that and lose 3 mathes in a row and his contract runs out in 2007, so whats the point in extending the contract now :S , i think theres some monkey biusness going on there but we shall see what happens

[m1ke]

Udinese have put a £8m price tag on his head..

[kdman]

And now it has come to haunt them. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) They got mauled by Barca. You don't freeze out your best player like that unless something fishy is going on.

[BoomAM]

It'd be nice to get him on the cheap.
But i think the defence needs sorting. Its fine at the moment, but it is aging.
That Brazilian right back, Cincinho, would be ideal, if Milan could outbid Madrid for him, get Kompany as well. Add to that Nesta & Kaladze, and the defence will be rejuvinated for years to come. With Stam, Maldini & Cafu, playing until such time that Cincinho & Kompany are called on, both of them could come on alot as players, learning from the best.
Midfield wise, a few signings over the summer have been nice, but we still need a long term replacement for Pirlo.

[m1ke]

I second Cicinho and Kompany. We seemed to be in pole position for both, but recently Real and Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of us for their respective signatures (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Felipe is always an option, although I heard he had a nightmare against Barca last night. There is a real lack of world class defenders at the moment..

[acmilanfan]

I second Cicinho and Kompany. We seemed to be in pole position for both, but recently Real and Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of us for their respective signatures (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Felipe is always an option, although I heard he had a nightmare against Barca last night. There is a real lack of world class defenders at the moment..

Indeed Felipe was pretty bad against Barca - I've seen the game live.Also looks like Iaquinta is back in Udinese squad - I read it last night on rai teletext.

[xudong]

Iaquinta MUST COME to Ac Milan to substitute Inzaghi or Vieri, he is in better form that Gilardino.

Form is temporary, and class is permanent.