Juve confirm Gilardino interest
Saturday, 10 July 2004
Players:
Massimo Oddo
Alberto Gilardino
Marek Jankulovski
Daniele Bonera
Teams:
Parma
Lazio
Juventus
Roma
Udinese
by Nadia Carminati
Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi has conceded that the Serie A giants are keen on sealing a deal with Parma for striker Alberto Gilardino.
The prolific Italy international is being pursued by a host of Europe's biggest clubs and an auction for his services is likely to ensue in the summer.
''Gilardino is young, he's good and we are interested in him,'' confirmed Moggi. ''We have looked at him but at the moment he costs too much.
''We can't lose money but surely spending in a good way is another thing.''
However, the player has yet to declare a desire to leave Parma and insists he will not move if he is not guaranteed playing time.
"I have a contract with Parma until 2006 and being in the plans of teams like Juve, Roma and Real can only flatter me,'' Gilardino told Gazzetta dello Sport.
''Juve? If I go there as fourth striker, at that point it would be better staying at Parma.
''My agent thinks the same. Better staying in Parma than leave to be a fourth forward.
"For a guy who plays football I think that the name of Real Madrid would be something special. But I'm professional and Juve and Roma are a really great opportunity.''
Although the club have expressed an interest in Gilardino, it appears team-mate Daniele Bonera has not been earmarked for a similar move to Turin.
''Bonera? He's a good player but we aren't interested in him - we won't buy him,'' continued Moggi.
In what could be a busy close-season at the Stadio Delle Alpi, Marek Jankulovski and Massimo Oddo have been short listed for a move but the names of Edgar Davids and Christian Vieri have been dismissed.
''The Czech midfielder is good,'' he said. ''If Udinese want we have good young players, like Maresca, for example.
''Oddo? It could be done, if Lazio would accept an exchange with some of our players.
''People who left in that way can't think to come back. As for Vieri, we have made a technical choice and we have the conviction that we have done a good thing.''