Ze Roberto Excited By Juve Interest
Wednesday 2nd May 2001
Bayer Leverkusen winger Ze Roberto revealed on Wednesday that he is flattered by interest from Juventus and fancies a �10 million move to Turin. "They are one of the best clubs in the world and playing for them would be the ultimate challenge," he said.
The skilful Brazilian is a crowd favourite at the BayArena, but coach Berti Vogts believes he is a defensive liability and confirmed recently: "If someone bids �10 million, he is free to go."
Deportivo La Coruna are also in the running, but Ze Roberto seems keener on Serie A.
"My wife has complained about the bad weather here and I think that my son would also settle down quickly in Italy," he said. "But I have a three-year deal at Leverkusen, so nothing is decided."
Leverkusen seem resigned to losing Ze Roberto and are already eyeing Wolfsburg's one-time Germany international Zoltan Sebescen as a possible replacement.
Sebescen had a nightmare debut for his country when his defensive blunders allowed Holland to score twice in a 2-1 win early in 2000.
But the �3.3 million-rated wide-man has proved his critics wrong with an excellent season in the Bundesliga and knows his chances of an international comeback would be improved by transferring to a bigger club like Leverkusen or Dortmund.
The 25-year-old has recently stressed that he wants to fulfil his contract with the Wolves until 2003, but his adviser Martin Wiesner has been in contact with several Bundesliga sides.
Sebescen would be able to earn twice as much as the �330,000 he gets at Wolfsburg with a major club.
