Juventus linked with Rafael Benitez

According to Sky Sport Italia, a meeting has taken place between Juventus and the legal team of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez in Milan, with the Bianconeri pushing for a deal that will see the Spaniard take over in Turin immediately.

Reports have been rife in the press all week that tonight's Coppa Italia game against Inter will be the last on the bench for coach Ciro Ferrara, who will then move upstairs into a director role.

A whole host of names have been linked as Ferrara's successor, including Giovanni Trapattoni, Guus Hiddink, Alberto Zaccheroni
and Claudio Gentile. The latter duo were believed to be the favourites,
with speculation that one would take over on a short term contract
until the end of the season when a big name would be appointed on a
permanent basis.

One of these big names was Rafa Benitez, who had emerged over the last few days as the favourite for the permanent position.

However, Sky Sport Italia are now claiming that a meeting has taken place in Milan between Juventus and the Benitez legal team, with the Old Lady hoping to entice the Spaniard to Turin immediately.

These reports have not been confirmed officially by either club, but there have been widespread reports today that Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc flew to England to discuss this move.

More
should become clear in the coming hours, but the fact that Benitez has
a contract until 2014 and Liverpool are on the verge of economic
collapse may mean that the Merseysiders will be happy to release the
ex-Valencia man and not have to pay him compensation.