Juve Lead Chase For �3m Zagreb Star
Saturday 17th November 2001
Juventus are set to pip Parma and Lazio to the �3 million signing of prolific NK Zagreb forward Ivica Olic. "If everything goes right, Olic will join Juventus in summer 2002," confirmed Dragan Maric, the president of Marsonia, who still hold Olic's contract.
Olic has excelled on loan at Zagreb, and his 16 goals in 14 games this season have made him the leading scorer in the Croatian league this season, attracting the interest of a host of top clubs, particularly in Italy.
"We have many options but I think that Olic is closest to Juventus," Maric went on. "I think that we will accept Juventus' offer ands that he will go to Turin in the summer."
Olic himself would relish the switch. "To play for Juventus is the dream of most footballers," he said. "I'm sure it would be a fantastic feeling to pull on the Juventus shirt and go out onto the field to play with such superb players."
Were Olic to go, he would join his compatriot Igor Tudor at the Delle Alpi. The uncompromising defender has become a cult figure among Bianconeri fans, and Olic would be keen to link up with him at club level.
"If I went, it would be a great honour to link up with Tudor, who I think is one of the best defenders on the planet."
Last month, Olic told onefootball.com: "Personally, I would like to join a club like PSV Eindhoven or Porto. They are always in Europe and they give young players a chance."
"If they spend money on a player, then he plays. They rarely buy a player and then leave him on the bench, but one day I would love to play in Spain. That is my ultimate goal," he said.
