Juve Close On Buffon As Parma Turn To Frey
Tuesday 3rd July 2001
Parma goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will join Juventus on Friday for �25 million, according to reports in Italy. Parma are expected to name Internazionale goalkeeper Sebastien Frey as his replacement with Portugal international Sergio Conceicao moving to the San Siro as part of a swap deal.
Buffon is likely to sign a five-year contract worth �6 million a season when he returns from Australia, where is on holiday. Juve midfielder Jonathan Bachini, who has just come back from a loan spell at Brescia, will move to Parma as part of the deal.
Buffon's arrival at Juve leaves a question mark over the future of Holland international Edwin van der Sar, who has been linked with moves to Feyenoord, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.
A fortnight ago, Juventus vice-president Roberto Bettega admitted that Juve had made a �33 million bid for Buffon. The former Italy forward added: "Now we are waiting for an answer from the club."
Considered in Italy to be the best goalkeeper in the world, Buffon has been Parma's first-choice goalkeeper since he was 18. He made his debut as a 17-year-old, ousting Luca Bucci.
He is likely to be Italy's No 1 for years to come, continuing a great legacy which goes back to Dino Zoff.
Buffon, 23, already has a friendly rivalry with Fiorentina goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, Italy's other outstanding young custodian, who Parma attempted to sign on Friday. Parma had agreed terms with Fiorentina, only for the player to refuse the move, forcing Parma to turn to Inter keeper Frey instead.
Frey joined Inter from Cannes in 1998 but was sent to Verona on loan after Inter acquired Angelo Peruzzi to replace Gianluca Pagliuca.
The Frenchman was one of the shining lights of a disappointing 2000-01 season for Inter, but when Champions' League qualification looked unlikely, he threatened to leave the club with Lazio, Juventus and Arsenal all said to be interested.
