HOW did that go then? After 14 fairly fruitless months at the club, Alberto Aquilani has left Liverpool to join Juventus on a season-long loan deal with an agreement in place that gives the Italian club the option to sign him on a permanent basis for £13.1 million after the loan expires.
Aquilani, who suffers with a recurring ankle injury, was put through his paces by Juve during a lengthy six-hour medical yesterday and the transfer has now officially gone through – with a statement on their official website confirming the news;
“Juventus Football Club announces that an agreement with Liverpool FC for the free temporary acquisition of the registration rights of the player Alberto Aquilani has been reached.
The agreement also includes the option right, to be exercised at the end of 2010-11 season, for the definitive acquisition by Juventus of the football player at the price of £13.1m, to be paid in three years.”
Another misguided Benitez signing (don’t forget Aquilani was seen as a direct replacement for the Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso)? Or just the victim of some harsh bad luck (he was showing signs of improvement at the arse-end of last season)? You decide.