Zidane Sets Himself Three-Week Deadline
Tuesday 26th June 2001
Zinedine Zidane is set to reveal whether he will leave Juventus for Real Madrid in three weeks, though his agent Alain Migliaccio said: "Zidane will stay with Juventus for next season."
The France midfieler, who has been embroiled in one of the most drawn-out transfer sagas of the summer, refused to confirm that he would be playing at the Bernabeu next season despite admitting his wish to join the Spanish champions.
Speaking from his holiday in Tahiti, he said: "I will return to Turin in three weeks and speak to the club then. After that, you will know everything. There have been rumours about my future but I can confirm that today I have a contract with Juventus.
"Now is not the time to answer other questions about my future. There is a lot being spoken about it, but at the moment I am holiday trying to enjoy myself as much as I can."
Though his comments were non-committal, his agent Alain Migliaccio was more positive about the France international's future plans. "Zidane will stay with Juventus for next season. Every year Real Madrid ask for the French superstar, but they can't keep on trying. We are tired of it."
New Juventus manager is reported to be lining up other players including Pep Guardiola and Pavel Nedved - in case Zidane, whose wfe is Spanish, does leave for Madrid.
Last week, the 29-year-old told Italian newspaper La Republica: "I have already chosen Spain. If it was up to me, I would already be at Real Madrid."
But Juventus have insisted that the midfielder is not for sale. "Whatever is said in Spain doesn't affect us in the slightest," general manager Luciano Moggi told reporters. "The agents and the radio stations are trying to bring him to Spain but he is not going.
"Zidane is worth �70 million to us, so when we're offered that much we can start to talk. I've read that Real will give us �35 million for Zidane, but they can double that offer if they are serious.
Moggi then turned his anger on Real president Florentino Perez for his handling of the affair. "He is always trying to force situations," he claimed. "When he was trying to sign Luis Figo, his behaviour was even worse."
