Juventus Wants Ravanelli Back
Copyright � 1998 Nando.net
Copyright � 1998 Reuters
TURIN, Italy (Nov 10, 1998 - 10:33 EST) - Olympique Marseille ace Fabrizio Ravanelli has agreed to return to Juventus as a replacement for injured Alessandro Del Piero, it was reported on Tuesday.
Del Piero's season is virtually over after being ruled out for five months with a knee injury he picked up last weekend. The Italian transfer market reopens on Jan. 4, but Juventus have already drawn up a hit-list.
General manager Luciano Moggi telephoned Ravanelli on Monday in Marseille to ask if he would be willing to return -- and got an immediate 'yes', according to the Turin-based paper Tuttosport .
"The White Feather", bought by Juventus in 1992, was bitterly disappointed to have been sold in 1996 to Middlesbrough after winning the European Cup.
His advantage over other replacements is that he is a world-class striker who knows the club, coach Marcello Lippi's system of play and Turin; and would have no problem settling in.
However, he is currently helping to keep Marseille top of the French First Division and Moggi's fellow officials are also casting around for alternatives.
Among those being touted are AC Milan's George Weah, Bologna's Swedish giant Kennet Andersson and Rosenborg's Sigurd Rushfeldt, who will be here next month for the club's final Champions League tie in Group B.
Lippi is also an admirer of England skipper Alan Shearer, although the Italians are wary of the price tag, while Sampdoria's promising Vincenzo Montella is also being considered.
In the meantime, Juventus will be looking to Del Piero's teammates Filippo Inzaghi and first reserve Daniel Fonseca of Uruguay to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
After four consecutive draws, they must defeat Galatasaray in Istanbul in a fortnight's time and then beat Rosenborg on December 9 to win the group.
