In the wake of his side’s penalty shootout defeat to local Australian side Melbourne Victory as part of the International Champions Cup, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has refused to comment on the club’s reported signing of Gonzalo Higuain.
Reports [Sky Italia] in the past hour have surfaced linking the Napoli forward with a four-year deal with the Old Lady, reportedly passing a medical yesterday and agreeing terms with the club.
When pressed on the issue, Allegri shed no light on the move.
“I do not talk about transfer market news. The club will make comment on that. The only thing I’ll talk about tonight is the game,” he said.
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With the looming exit of Paul Pogba to Manchester United as well, Allegri also declined to make any further comment on the prospect of losing one of the club’s most valuable assets.
“As I said before, I’m not going to talk about transfer news,” he said. “We just had a game. I’m not sure what’s happened in the transfer market during the last few days, so once again I prefer to have questions during the game.”
Juventus were beaten 4-3 (1-1) on penalties in their first of two International Champions Cup, with the second to come on Tuesday against Tottenham.
The underwhelming crowd collectively rose to their feet in the 58th minute after little known Juventus defender Carlos Blanco Moreno stunned Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas with 50-yard wonder-goal.
Not a bad goal from @juventusfcen‘s Blanco Moreno to open proceedings… #ICCVICJUV pic.twitter.com/9YksTK29T5
— Outside90 (@Outside90) July 23, 2016
A moment that breathed some life into what was largely a soulless affair at the MCG, with 23,174 in attendance.
The meagre crowd were on their feet again as Jai Ingham’s late equaliser sent the match to a penalty shootout finish, with Melbourne Victory taking the honours after two fine saves from Laurence Thomas.
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