As anticipated yesterday, and reconfirmed this morning by the Corriere della Sera, AC Milan and Juventus are in competition for Shanghai Shenhua 34 year old striker Didier Drogba, but both the Italian giants are also working on other options. The rossoneri, for example, are waiting for a move from Manchester City regarding 22 year old Mario Balotelli; as underlined by calciomercato.com, last night the player’s agent Mino Raiola has met the English club’s executive Ferran Soriano, and it seems that the Citizens are not intentioned to let the Italy international leave on loan, but only beyond the paiement of 25 million euros. As well known, to make such an investment, the rossoneri must sell some of their players, and, according to Tuttosport, 28 year old forward Robinho could be sold to Fenerbahçe. The Lombard club, as sublined by La Gazzetta dello Sport, keeps also on negotiating with Real Madrid for 30 year old attacking midfielder Ricardo Kakà, but if the Brazil international seems ready to reduce his salary to move back to Milan, the Merengues are not intentioned to make discounts. Moreover, according to the same media, the rossoneri are in advances talks with Parma regarding a swap involving 31 year old defender Cristian Zaccardo and 28 year old left wingback Djamel Mesbah, and are also thinking about offering 30 year old goalkeeper Marco Amelia to Fiorentina to obtain 27 year old Emiliano Viviano.

The alternative to Drogba for Juventus could be 33 year old Nicolas Anelka, also playing for Shanghai Shenhua, whose agents, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, were yesterday in Italy. Of course, despite the declarations released yesterday by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, the French club’s 29 year old Lisandro Lopez remains a valid oprion. Regarding the possible departures, 29 year old Fabio Quagliarella, according to La Repubblica, could finally move to Fiorentina, expecially if Lopez would join.