Mutu Keen On �12.5m Juve Switch
Tuesday 29th January 2002
Verona striker Adrian Mutu has told onefootball.com he would jump at the chance to join Juventus, just hours after his agent revealed the clubs were in talks.
"When I joined Internazionale, I was very young and I don't think I was ready to play for a big club in Italy," said the Romania star.
"Now I am wiser and I would really love to have another go with a big team. I am convinced I would do well. There have been rumours about me leaving Verona ever since the beginning of the season, but I don't let them affect my game anymore.
"I am still 100 per cent focused on doing well for Verona. The thing is that you don't get the chance to join a club like Juventus too often, so if they wanted to sign me tomorrow, I would join."
Mutu's agent Giovani Becali claimed earlier on Tuesday that Juventus had agreed a �12.5 million fee for the 23-year-old and insisted he was confident of finalising the transfer before the Italian transfer window closes on Thursday.
"I can confirm that we are in talks with both clubs and we could have a result soon," he said.
But Mutu confirmed he would be happy to stay at Verona until the end of the season if the deal is not completed in time. "There is no hurry," claimed the former Dinamo Bucharest ace.
"I'm enjoying myself at Verona and things have gone well for us this season. We've done better than people expected.
"We have secured some terrific results at home this season and we're eighth in the table. If only we could start to win away more we might even be in with a shout of qualifying for Europe."
Juventus have been keen to sign a forward since Marcelo Salas sustained a serious knee injury in August and Mutu, who has scored seven goals for Verona this season, could be the solution for coach Marcello Lippi.
The Turin giants are going strong in both Serie A and the Champions' League, but Lippi is concerned he does not have sufficient firepower in reserve should Alessandro Del Piero or David Trezeguet be sidelined.
