Moggi: We want Vieira Sunday 26 June, 2005
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Juve director general Luciano Moggi has confirmed they’re ready to push for Patrick Vieira and are playing the waiting game with Antonio Cassano.
“I think that Juventus are more willing to make a play for a midfielder rather than Cassano, as this is the area we most need to strengthen,” he told Turin-based newspaper ‘Tuttosport’. “If Vieira was on the market then we’d already have made a bid. He’s undoubtedly a champion, but Arsenal don’t want to release him.”
This might not be entirely true, as the Frenchman is said to be increasingly unhappy with the lack of European success at Highbury. He will be out of contract in 2007 and, as he approaches 30, is eager to test himself in Serie A again following a brief spell at Milan under Fabio Capello.
The money to bring Vieira in could come from another Premiership club, as Chelsea have made an offer for David Trezeguet.
“We have spoken to the Stamford Bridge side, certainly,” confirmed Moggi. “It was the same kind of conversation we had with Real Madrid for Gianluigi Buffon. We answered that our stars are not for sale.”
The transfer guru is notorious for manipulating the media and it is widely believed Trezeguet will leave Turin this summer. If Chelsea are willing to pay £20m for the oft-injured Frenchman, then that cash could be re-routed to sign Vieira and perhaps even Cassano.
“At the moment I have to say that Cassano will stay at Roma. If by August 31 he was still available and the Giallorossi didn’t expect £13m, then we might reconsider the situation.”
There are new reports that Real Madrid are reviving their interest in the fiery youngster and would appease Roma by offering to keep him at the Olimpico on loan until 2006. With this in mind, Juve are trying to resolve the status of Fabrizio Miccoli, Enzo Maresca and Giorgio Chiellini – all part-owned by Fiorentina – to use them as part of their transfer deals.
Marcelo Zalayeta is another valuable option on the market to cut down some of these superstar prices.
“Zalayeta has asked us for a meeting and would gladly stay at Juve for life, but he is frustrated at spending so much time on the bench,” concluded Moggi. “I understand his position, although it isn’t easy for us to part with such a good player.”
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