Juventus are still hoping to have want-away striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic at their disposal next season. “We are counting on his professionalism,” stated a club official.

Ibrahimovic wants to quit the Turin giants following demotion to the Second Division, yet the Bianconeri are fighting to keep him in their ranks.

Chief executive Jean Claude Blanc has today offered the Swede an olive branch by emphasising the fact that the club need their best players to remain as competitive as possible in Serie B.

“We are relying on Ibrahimovic’s professionalism, we have a contract with the player until 2008 and we want him and his agent Mino Raiola to respect it, just as we are doing with him,” said Blanc.

However, the former Ajax man made his feelings clear at the end of last week after refusing to play in a friendly against Spezia.

As a result, the 24-year-old was fined by the club for his actions even if his agent has threatened legal action to ensure a move away from the club.

Ibra has been linked with Milan, but the £28m asking price has reduced the chances of the striker following Emerson, Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram, Gianluca Zambrotta and Patrick Vieira out of the club.

Juventus now face a crucial week of negotiations with their star men in the shape of Gianluigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet who are all returning from holiday.

The goalkeeper has said he will stay, Lyon-target Camoranesi wants an exit, while Trezeguet is waiting to discover the club’s plans for this term.

The likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved have confirmed that they will stay with the Old Lady.

Meanwhile, Juventus will play their first meaningful friendlies of the summer when they face Inter and Napoli in the Birra Moretti Trophy on Friday.

Football Italia

The only ones being un professional here are Juve, if he doesn't want to play in serie B (which player does really?) then let him leave. The club betrayed it's players by fixing matches so I can't see why any of the players would want to stay with them, and if they can let the others leave for a quarter of the price they are asking for Ibra (even though I think that players like Zambo and Canna are worth more) then I think they should let him leave as well, it's only fair.

They cheated, and got busted. Really busted.

So... how can Juventus use the word 'Professional' ... At least, do the things the right way.

Ibra's head is no more at the bianconeri.

Exactly what I have been saying. And since they let all the others go then Ibra shouldn't be any different

That's a good one

Haha!