Arsenal Demand Kovacevic Plus �9m For Vieira
Wednesday 21st March 2001
Juventus striker Darko Kovacevic claimed on Wednesday that Arsenal would be prepared to let midfield star Patrick Vieira join the Italian club in exchange for him and �9 million. "It's true. The club have informed me," he said.
Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Kovacevic is currently in Yugoslavia to prepare for two World Cup qualifiers. And he told Yugoslav paper BLIC that Arsenal had previously rejected a �16 million bid from Juventus for Vieira.
However, the player also said that the English club had then returned saying that they would be prepared to let the Frenchman go if they received �9 million and Kovacevic.
"It's true. I know Arsenal were interested in the past but it now looks as if they have made up their minds and sent an offer," he said.
The Yugoslavia forward denied that he would jump at any opportunity to leave Juventus, where he has struggled to break into the starting XI, but added that he would keep an open mind.
"The offer sounds good to me because Arsenal are one of the best clubs in the Premier League. I have already played there and I know I would fit in," he said. "However it is too early to talk about everything because I have a contract with Juventus."
Kovacevic has scored goals at Proleter Zrenjanin, Red Star Belgrade and Real Sociedad (33 in two seasons), but his goal-record in England suffered after he encountered work-permit problems.
