Van Der Sar Has Pick Of Euro Giants
Thursday 12th July 2001
Juventus goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has turned down Barcelona and is not interested in joining Liverpool, his agent has claimed. "Edwin has offers from three other top clubs, but it doesn't seem sensible to reveal their names," added Rob Jansen.
Van der Sar was heavily criticised last season, despite conceding fewer goals than any other first-choice goalkeeper in Serie A.
Now the arrival of Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus in a �33-million deal from Parma looks to have put an end to his time in Turin.
Jansen made clear, though, that Van der Sar is not short of options, but added: "Edwin won't go to Barca and Liverpool already have an excellent Dutch goalkeeper."
Juventus are thought to want around �15 million for the 30-year-old, who suffered abuse from fans after his dismissal in a 3-1 defeat at Panathinaikos in November. The result effectively sealed the Bianconeri's exit from the Champions' League.
Van der Sar started his career with amateur club Noorwijk and joined Ajax in 1989. It took him four years to break into the first team, but once there his position was never in doubt.
He was in the Holland squad for the 1994 World Cup and won his first cap in 1995. By Euro 96, he was the national side's No 1 and has remained so ever since.
Van der Sar won the Champions' League title in 1995, keeping a clean sheet in the final as Ajax beat AC Milan 1-0. He left the Netherlands for Juventus in 1999 and enjoyed a fine first season.
