A report in Italy appears to have confirmed that Rangers were interested in Claudio Marchisio, but that the Juventus legend will announce his retirement on Thursday.
Marchisio, 33, has set up a press conference at the Allianz Stadium this coming Thursday [Daily Mail] with reporters curious as to the announcement the player will make.
All of this points to Marchisio announcing his retirement, and according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, he’ll be turning down Rangers to do so.
Marchisio was first linked to Rangers earlier in the month as Rangers and the rest of Europe were subject to an international break.
Reports from Italy [Matteo Pedrosi] and France [RMC Sport] both appeared to claim that Rangers were interested in the player and faced competition from the likes of Monaco and Flamengo for his signature.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard – whilst saying he was an admirer of Marchisio’s – flat out denied any Ibrox interest in the player [Daily Record] who was released by Zenit St. Petersburg in the summer.
If the report from Gazetta Dello Sport is true, Marchisio will have turned down Ibrox and any interest from Monaco and Flamengo to hang up his boots.
Spending 24 years of his life with Juventus, Marchisio will always remain a legend in Turin where he won 14 trophies playing over 13 seasons.
Marchisio also made 55 caps for Italy in an esteemed career, scoring five goals in the process.
