It has been revealed in Italy that a notorious mafia organisation failed in an attempt to take over Lazio.

Lazio have endured a fall from grace in recent years, having almost gone bankrupt under former patron Sergio Cragnotti.

Claudio Lotito took over the club in 2004, stabilizing the finances and moving the club into the green. Despite this, Lotito is hugely unpopular with the Lazio tifosi, many of whom are desperate for him to relinquish control of the club.

It has now been revealed that a notorious Italian organised crime gang attempted to buy Lazio from Lotito, through third parties.

The Casalesi clan of the Camorra, who are the Naples version of the Mafia, were hoping to finance the deal with funds gained from violence and intimidation.

The plan came to light during a series of 10 arrests made by police in Rome in an operation known as ‘Broken Wings’.

Lazio had a desperately disappointing 2007/08 season finishing 12th in Serie A, being eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages, and failing to make it back into Europe for the coming campaign.

However, things look brighter for the new season, following the arrivals of South Americans Mauro Zarate, Juan Carrizo and Matuzalem, as well as the return of Pasquale Foggia.

Ref From Anthony Sormani - goal.com

Roma have made a bid for Fiorentina’s Romanian forward Adrian Mutu.

“I am not one who gambles, I like to play with my cards on the table,” Fiorentina sporting director Pantaelo Corvino said. “Taking this into consideration, it is my job and that of the club to meet with Roma.

“Fiorentina’s policy is to keep its players, but when it comes to someone close to the age of 30, if they ask to leave then it is our duty to listen to eventual offers.”

He also admitted that Mutu would be within his rights to seek a move to Roma, who have finished second to Internazionale in consecutive seasons.

“It seems right and logical to consider the offer and, if it is valid, to talk it over,” he continued.

“It is legitimate for a player to ask to leave and think about their alternatives. It’s possible Mutu wants something other than Fiorentina.”

Mutu, 29, would provide competition for Roma skipper Francesco Totti, who has missed periods through injury in recent seasons.

Roma currently only have Mirko Vucinic as a specialist forward, with veteran poacher Vincenzo Montella expected to leave the club after spending the last two campaigns on loan at Fulham and Sampdoria.

The Giallorossi progressed automatically to the Champions League due to their league finish, while Viola came fourth and have to pre-qualify.

Romania vice-captain Mutu has also played for Juventus, Chelsea, Parma, Verona and Internazionale.

Ref From Reda Maher - Eurosport

Sampdoria’s new signing Bruno Fornaroli is ecstatic at completing his move to Marassi and can’t wait to link up with Antonio Cassano.

At the age of 20, Fornaroli was already being tracked by a host of top sides all over the world, but Samp won the battle for his signature.

Diminutive marksman Fornaroli arrived in a co-ownership agreement for a fee of £2.4m and can’t wait to get started in Serie A.

“I am so happy and I can’t wait to play alongside Cassano,” he told Secolo XIX.

“At the moment I am calm. It was a long wait to complete the deal, but it was well worth it to sign for the best team.

“Sampdoria have qualified for the UEFA Cup and always have aspirations of finishing high in Serie A.

“The important thing is that they play a style of football that suits me and they play fast paces instead of long balls.

“And what’s more, they play in the same colours as Nacional, to whom I will always be grateful.

Fornaroli revealed that former Lazio and Inter hitman Ruben Sosa played a part in his decision to join Doria.

“Sosa convinced me that my future was in Italy,” he stated. “Now Ruben is a youth Coach at Nacional and for me he has always been a reference point.”

Ref From channel4.com