Moggi Awaits Arsenal Response On �20m Vieira
Friday 30th March 2001
General manager Luciano Moggi admitted on Friday that Juventus would talk to Arsenal again about signing Patrick Vieira, even if the Londoners demand Edgar Davids in exchange. "Obviously we are interested in him, but it all depends on what Arsenal want to do," he said.
Vieira revealed after France's victory over Japan last weekend that he was "interested" in a move to the Turin giants, because he felt he had a point to prove after failing at AC Milan early in his career.
And Moggi revealed that money was available for a big-money bid, even if the club's other combative midfielders - Davids and Alessio Tacchinardi - stayed at the Delle Alpi.
"Vieira is a great player and we could buy him. We will make a final decision at the end of the season," added the Juventus executive.
Arsenal vice-president David Dein is thought to have met Juventus officials last week to discuss a possible deal - but the Italian club are understood to be offering �8 million less than Arsenal's �25 million valuation.
A return to Serie A would certainly suit Vieira, though, who has been a massive hit in England since his �3.5 million transfer from AC Milan in August 1996.
Vieira said: "I'm stronger than I was when I was with AC Milan and it would be an honour to play with Juve. I'm earning a lot of money at Arsenal and I am happy to stay, but Juve are also a great team.
"My friends Zinedine Zidane and David Trezeguet have told me that Juve are an excellent club who look after their players and pay them well.
"You can never say never in football and I am not going to say that I won't return to Italy. But I don't know if Juve want to pay �25 million for me."
The Italians are reportedly willing to offer Vieira more than �2.5 million a season as part of a six-year contract.
