Juve And Lazio Open Talks Over Salas
Wednesday 15th August 2001
Juventus have stepped up their attempts to sign Lazio striker Marcelo Salas after failing to capture Internazionale's Christian Vieri, their principle transfer target this summer. "Lazio and Juventus are discussing my transfer," Salas confirmed.
"I enjoy life in Rome and playing for Lazio but I would be ready to take up a new challenge at Juve," Salas said.
Juve have been short of fire power following the sale of Filippo Inzaghi to AC Milan, and their limited attacking options were further exposed when talks over Vieri broke down when Inter demanded that France striker David Trezeguet was included in any deal involving the Italy international.
Salas no longer commands a regular place in the Lazio side following Claudio Lopez's return from injury and coach Dino Zoff was willing to see him leave last month as the Italian side set up a swap deal with Valencia to bring Kily Gonzalez to the Stadio Olimpico.
Salas, however, scuppered the deal, claiming that Lazio should pay up the remaining two years of his contract about �4 million because he was being sold against his will.
But this time he is ready to accept the challenge offered by Juve and a �7 million deal possibly involving defender Mark Iuliano going in the opposite direction could take place as early as next week.
Salas has remained sharp over the summer, illustrated again on Wednesday when he scored twice to earn Chile a draw with Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier.
Salas was one of the hottest striking properties in the world when he quit River Plate in 1998 to sign for Lazio.
Since then, his currency has dipped after losing his place to Argentina striker Crespo and spending time out due to injury. But nobody has forgotten what he is capable of in his first season in Serie A, he scored 15 goals in 30 outings.
Former Lazio team-mate Pavel Nedved, for one, is in no doubt that Salas still has what it takes to spearhead the front line of a Serie A title-challenging side.
"He is a great player and a great man," Juve's �26 million capture from Lazio said. "I always felt good with Salas because he is a generous player and is always working for the team. I would be happy to see him in Turin," the Czech Republic international said.
