Cagliari's O'Neill Says He is Ready for Juventus Move
Copyright � 2000 Nando Media
Copyright � 2000 Agence France-Presse
MILAN, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Cagliari's Uruguayan midfielder Fabian O'Neill, whose stunning volley knocked AS Roma out of the Italian Cup on Tuesday, says he expects to be playing for Juventus next season.
O'Neill has long been linked with a move to Turin and his recent performances in Cagliari's spirited draw against Lazio in Serie A on Saturday and their surprise 1-0 win over Roma have led to fresh reports that he will be changing clubs in the summer.
"I personally haven't spoken to anyone at Juventus but my agent has assured me that next season I will be playing for Juventus," he told the daily Gazzetta dello Sport.
O'Neill, a powerful attacking midfielder who joined the Sardinian side from Uruguayan club Nacional in 1995, had been touted as a possible replacement for Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane is now back to his best and has committed himself to Juventus for the foreseeable future but O'Neill still believes there will be room for him in Carlo Ancelotti's lineup.
"I hoped that Zidane would stay at Juventus because it would be easier for me to play there with him. I could play in the middle as I do at the moment and he could play further forward, I don't think it would cause any tactical problems," said O'Neill.
"For me Juventus is a dream, an incredible move and if I have to start off on the bench I will play for my place like all the others," he added.
O'Neill will have a chance to further impress Ancelotti on Sunday when he lines up against Juventus for Cagliari, who despite their recent revival and cup exploits are still in relegation danger in 17th place in Serie A.
