Tuttosport 23/01/00
A Juve scout watched Barcelona-Racing Santander to take a closer look at 24-year old forward Salvador Ballesta, aka Salva. Salva is Spain's top scorer with 21 goals in 20 matches. Roma and Milan used to follow the player too, but decided to look elsewhere: Roma bought Hidetoshi Nakata and Paolo Poggi, while Milan acquired Jos� Mari. Salva might be a better bargain for Juve, considering the high prices for Nonda [Rennes], John Carew [Rosenborg], and Ruud Van Nistelrooy [PSV Eindhoven]. Olympique Marseille and Barcelona are interested in Salva too, with the latter offering Dani in exchange.
Luciano Moggi will meet next week Oliveira Junior, Roberto Carlos' agent. According to Brazilian sources, the meeting will be in Milan. Although in Spain they are sure that the fullback will remain with Real Madrid, teams such as Barcelona, Inter, Milan, and Manchester United are said to be in the hunt.
Oliveira Junior is also the agent for Jenilson Angelo de Souza, better known as Junior [Palmeiras]. Moggi will ask more info.
Simone Malatesta [Modena], who Juventus bought recently in joint ownership starting from next season, has joined the Primavera team in order to prepare for the Torneo di Viareggio to be played next month. Physical similar to Christian Vieri and Cristiano Lucarelli, Malatesta, 17 years old, has shorter legs, which makes him faster. Add a nice left shot and a good touch, Malatesta is 1.80 m tall, but he's expected to grow up. Born in Rome, he played for a local club until Modena snatched him before Roma and Lazio could. In his first season with the Allievi Nazionali (Under-16), he scored 18 goals. This season has already marked his debut with the senior team in Serie C1. Malatesta's first exhibition with a Juventus jersey was "baptized" with 3 goals, although it came against Asti's junior team.
