Real Madrid President Likes Idea of Anelka-Zidane Loan Swap
Copyright � 1999 Nando Media
Copyright � 1999 Agence France-Presse
MADRID, Spain (October 1, 1999 8:52 a.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz has said he would consider loaning out Nicolas Anelka to
Juventus in return for Zinedine Zidane.
"It occurred to me the other day that if I see that Anelka
isn't working out, I could swap him with Zidane.
"But only on loan, remember. He's only twenty and I'm sure
we'll get a lot of mileage out of him," Sanz said.
Last season, Real were constantly linked with Zidane, who
has a Spanish wife.
The Real Madrid president made his remarks on Thursday
during a chat show broadcast on the club's digital channel, Real
Madrid TV.
Sanz's comments are his first public suggestion that he is
having second thoughts about the world's second most expensive player, signed from Arsenal for $35.30 million, and they will add a new twist to the long-running Anelka saga.
Since joining Real in August, Anelka has cut a forlorn
figure and is yet to score a goal for his new club.
Recent reports by British newspapers that Anelka was
contemplating giving up football led Sanz to make a public
affirmation of support for the striker.
Anelka's woes continued when he was booed off the field when
being substituted during Real's home Champions League match
against Molde.
In the game he sustained a knee injury which has kept him
sidelined for three games.
