Juventus Says Zidane Not for Sale
Copyright � 1999 Nando Media
Copyright � 1999 Agence France-Presse
TURIN, Italy (April 9, 1999 3:01 p.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Italian champions Juventus denied newspaper reports on Friday they were in talks to sell World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane.
Italian papers speculated that the Turin side were thinking of selling Zidane to either Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Manchester United, who drew with Juventus on Wednesday in the European Cup semifinals.
But Juve director general Luciano Moggi insisted the French playmaker was not for sale.
"I have never spoken to (United chairman) Martin Edwards," he said. "If I had wanted to meet him I would have done it at the official lunch on Wednesday."
"We don't want to talk about Zidane for the simple reason that he is not for sale and he will be part of the Juventus squad next year," Moggi said.
"Zidane has a contract until 2004 and he has never said he wants to leave and certainly Juventus are not thinking of changing their plans."
Zidane has been dogged by a dip in form and minor injuries this season but returned from a short lay-off to produce a masterful performance against United in the first leg.
Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport said Zidane was considering leaving the northern Italian city because his wife was unhappy. It said she did not want to move to Manchester because of the weather and therefore Zidane was considering a transfer to one of the two Spanish sides.
