Juve play down Keane reports

Juventus appeared to have ruled out making a move for former Manchester United star Roy Keane.

The 34-year-old midfielder left Old Trafford by mutual consent last week and is free to sign for any club.

Juventus general director Luciano Moggi, when asked about his club’s reported interest in Keane, told PA Sport in a telephone interview: “The Juventus team is already strong as it is.”

Manchester United made the surprise announcement on Friday that Keane was leaving after more than 12 hugely successful seasons at the club.

Juventus, it appears, are one of the few clubs that could meet Keane’s wage demands, but would find it difficult to give him time on the pitch.

The defending Serie A champions bolstered their squad in the summer with the signing of Frenchman Patrick Vieira, one of Keane’s bitter rivals in the English Premiership during his own nine years at Arsenal.

Brazilian Emerson is also one of the midfield lynchpins in their squad.

Juventus are five points clear of Fiorentina and AC Milan.