Juve to take Mutu today? Thursday 5 August, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some Italian newspapers claim that Adrian Mutu could sign for Juventus as early as this afternoon, although his agent admits Fiorentina are interested.
“There are two clubs who have expressed an interest in the player,” revealed representative Andrea Pretti. “What we need to understand now is the approach Chelsea are taking to Mutu’s situation.”
The former Parma and Verona star had a sparkling start to his Premiership career, but injuries and personality clashes saw him drop down the pecking order. The arrival of new buys Mateja Kezman and Didier Drogba now seems set to push him back towards Serie A.
“However,” pointed out Pretti, “if we look at all the top clubs going into the Champions’ League, they tend to have four world class strikers on their books. This is why I’m not sure Chelsea would want to give away Mutu.”
Nonetheless, his rapport with new Coach Jose Mourinho is said to be difficult, while Juventus are putting the pressure on to have Mutu replace Valencia-bound Marco Di Vaio.
Italian newspapers claim that a deal could be struck as early as this afternoon, allowing him to register for Juve’s Champions’ League preliminary round tie with Djurgardens before the midnight deadline.
Fiorentina are also showing a great deal of interest in the player, but are unlikely to splash out after signing Chilean creative midfielder Jaime Valdes from Bari and taking Real Madrid’s Javier Portillo on loan.
The Corriere dello Sport suggests that the Bianconeri will take Mutu on loan with an option to buy half his contract at the end of the season for £7m, while the Gazzetta insists they will snap him up in a co-ownership deal immediately for £8m.
“Considering that Roman Abramovich’s side spent £16m on Mutu,” added his agent, “I think the only likely solution would be to loan him out with the right to buy at the end of the season.”
This is not the only option for Juventus, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reportedly rejected the opportunity to extend his contract with Ajax. As his current deal expires in 2006, the Dutch giants might be willing to sell him now in order to still make a profit.
However, it is more likely that the Swedish international – who scored a stunning goal against Italy in Euro 2004 – will stay on in Amsterdam for another year.