Zidane Demands Forced Us To Sell, Says Moggi
Tuesday 10th July 2001
Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi has clarified the circumstances surrounding Zinedine Zidane's �46 million move to Real Madrid, after the Frenchman claimed he would happily have stayed another year in Italy.
"Following our last match, something happened that I didn't appreciate," said Moggi.
The Juve chief explained that keeping the midfielder would have cost around �32 million, after Zidane suggested a package which allowed him to join Real at a reduced price in 2002, presumably so he could dictate better terms in Spain.
"Zidane wanted a deal on his conditions," said Moggi. "However, negotiations are conducted by the club and not by the players. We considered the fact that he wanted to go to Spain and we went ahead with it.
"He was asking for a different agreement, evidently agreed upon with Real, but equal to a third of what we wanted. So by letting him go, both parties are satisfied.
"To keep a player that has his mind set on going elsewhere is useless, worse it's damaging," added Moggi.
Zidane had raised eyebrows in Italy with comments on his personal website indicating he was ready to stay another season in Turin before moving to Madrid.
"This transfer took place very rapidly, when, in fact, it was planned for next year," said the Fifa Player of the Year. "But Juventus thought over Real's offer and decided that if an operation was to happen, it should be this year.
"It was important for them to get a good amount of money out of the transfer. It happened very quickly, in three days."
Moggi, who handles all Juve's transfer dealings, said he hoped Zidane would continue to excel in Spain. "I certainly wish him the very best of luck. He'll do well without doubt, because he is a great champion.
"To do without a champion like Zidane is not easy but we have done our utmost to acquire the best players available," he added, referring to the summer captures of Gianluigi Buffon, Lilian Thuram and Pavel Nedved.
