Ibrahimovic set to take legal action to escape from Juve

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to take legal action to secure his release from demoted Juventus, the player's agent said yesterday. "We are looking for an agreed way out but if that isn't possible, we'll seek to do so... by taking legal action," Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola said.

After an exodus of talent following Juventus' relegation to Serie B by a sports tribunal for their role in a match-fixing scandal, coach Didier Deschamps told the remaining players last week that they could not leave.

However, Raiola said that the Sweden striker did not plan to stay in Turin. "He has already made it clear that he does not intend playing in [Serie] B and he absolutely hasn't changed his mind," Raiola said.

The demotion sparked an exodus, including Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram, Emerson, Fabio Cannavaro and Patrick Vieira. Zambrotta and Thuram moved to Barcelona, while Emerson and Cannavaro joined Real Madrid and Vieira sealed a transfer to Internazionale.

Ibrahimovic signed for Juventus in 2004 from Ajax and he has two years left on his contract. Milan and Inter have expressed interest in the Swedish striker.

The Italy striker Luca Toni claims he could move to the Premiership if Fiorentina give him permission to speak with other clubs. The 29-year-old scored 31 goals in Serie A last year - the highest total by any player for 47 years. He now claims there are several clubs keen to sign him, including at least one from England.

"I want to make the most of the opportunities I am given," Toni said. "I have had interest not only from Inter, but also from Spain and England. I want to win the league title and Champions' League, but if I stay here for the next three to four years, I won't be able to." Fiorentina will begin next season with a 19-point deficit for their role in the match-fixing scandal, having been spared relegation to Serie B on appeal.