Salas-Kovacevic Swap Goes Through
Friday 17th August 2001
Juventus have confirmed the signing of Lazio striker Marcelo Salas for �8 million plus Darko Kovacevic. "They were the only club in Italy I was interested in joining," said the Chile international, who has agreed a five-year contract worth �10 million.
Salas is expected to form a potent front three with Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet at the Stadio delle Alpi after falling out of favour with Lazio boss Dino Zoff.
Earlier, Salas admitted a move away from the Stadio Olimpico was in the offing. "Lazio and Juventus are discussing my transfer. I enjoy life in Rome and playing for Lazio, but I would be ready to take up a new challenge at Juve," he said.
Juventus were short of fire-power following the sale of Filippo Inzaghi to AC Milan and their limited attacking options were further exposed when efforts to sign Christian Vieri broke down.
Zoff was willing to see Salas leave last month and set up a swap deal with Valencia to bring in Kily Gonzalez. But the Chilean scuppered that deal by claiming Lazio should pay up the remaining two years of his contract, about �4 million, because he was being sold against his will.
Salas has remained sharp over the summer, a fact he illustrated on Wednesday when he scored twice to earn Chile a draw with Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier.
He was one of the hottest 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 Hernan Crespo and spending time out due to injury.
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," said Juve's �26 million capture from Lazio.
"I always felt good with Salas because he is a generous player and is always working for the team."
