Del Piero Ready to Sign New deal With Juventus
Copyright � 1998 Nando.net
Copyright � 1998 Reuters
MILAN (Sep 8, 1998 - 11:49 EDT) - Italian champions Juventus are negotiating a new three-year contract with Alessandro Del Piero that will earn their star striker around $15 million.
Del Piero's existing five-year contract expires in 2000, after earning him a total of 10 billion lira ($6 million).
However, Del Piero's value on the international market place has rocketed in recent years and his agents are anxious to make sure the 23-year-old does not get shortchanged by the Turin club.
They are seeking 25 billion to 30 billion lira for the 2000-2003 deal, as before, net of taxes.
The club may be flinching at the asking price, but director general Luciano Moggi said: "We want him to stay, Del Piero wants to stay, and a solution will be found... not long after October 5 at the latest."
Del Piero confirmed that a deal to keep him away from likely predators from the English Premiership or the Spanish Liga was imminent.
"There's a willingness on both sides to stay together, it's just a question of finding the time to talk about it," he said.
