Italian club Messina announced Friday the acquisition of Japanese midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara on loan from Kashima Antlers, who have denied that an official deal has been reached.
Kashima technical director Mitsuru Suzuki said the J-League club is still in talks with Messina and that a final decision on Ogasawara's deal has to wait until Messina have assured themselves a spot in the Italian first division.
The demotion of Juventus to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal has allowed Messina to regain the top flight, but Juventus have said they will appeal the case in another court.