Juve Make Renewed Bid For Vieira
Sunday 25th March 2001
Arsenal vice-president David Dein has met Juventus officials again to discuss a possible transfer of Patrick Vieira to Turin, according to reports in Italy.
Dein is understood to have held further talks with Juve vice-president Roberto Bettega towards the end of last week � but the two sides are still more than �6 million apart in their valuations of the France international.
Juve are said have offered around �18 million, and a possible player exchange, while Arsenal want �25 million. The Italians are also willing to pay Vieira more than �2.5 million a season in a six-year contract, according to reports in Italy.
It is, however, difficult to see why Arsene Wenger would allow Vieira to leave. The Frenchman is keeping the Arsenal midfield together and has been touted as a future captain when Tony Adams retires.
Vieira has also said several times that he doesn't want to play in Italy. He had a difficult year at AC Milan before joining Arsenal and was racially abused earlier this season when his club played Lazio in Rome.
Earlier reports had indicated that Yugoslav striker Darko Kovacevic was part of the package but Juve are now understood to have offered him to Borussia Dortmund � who have previously shown an interest in the former Sheffield Wednesday forward � for �13 million.
Meanwhile, Italian international Mark Iuliano has spoken of his desire to make it back into the Juve first team.
The defender, who has been out injured for two months, dismissed speculation that the Turin giants are prepared to spend big to strengthen their back-line.
France star Lilian Thuram and his Parma team-mate Fabio Cannavaro are rumoured to be interesting Juve but Iuliano insisted: "I'm sure Juventus can't find defenders stronger than us. We have Montero, the best, then Tudor, who is growing up, the experienced Ferrara, Pessotto and Birindelli.
Iuliano added: "I'm recovering, and I was very impressed during training by new arrival Athirson. Now I have to recover my spot also in the national team. Then we will show Juventus they don't need to buy new players."
Iuliano also issued a warning to Serie A leaders Roma. "They have to be focused, because in the last two years the winners of the Scudetto were second at this stage of the season," said the defender.
