'Trezeguet eyes ё50m Arsenal deal'
By Andy Hooper
Juventus striker David Trezeguet is considering a world record ё50million move to Arsenal, according to claims made by his agent.
Trezeguet: ё50m deal would require sale of Patrick Vieira
(GraziaNeri/Allsport)
Antonio Caliendo says the France international is the target of several top clubs - but is 'very excited' about the prospect of a move to Highbury.
A ё50m deal would eclipse the ё46.5m transfer of Zinedine Zidane from Juve to Real Madrid last summer, but almost certainly require Arsenal to sell their coveted midfielder Patrick Vieira.
Quoted in the News of the World, Trezeguet's representative Caliendo says: 'David is well aware other clubs would like to sign him as well - such as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
'But his preference as a player is to be in Premier League, playing for Arsene Wenger.'
The newspaper also reports that Caliendo met the Arsenal manager at a secret meeting in London on Thursday.
And the agent adds: 'My meeting and discussion with Arsene Wenger went very well. David is very excited about the possibility of joining Arsenal.'
'We're happy with Arsenal's offer, now it's up to both clubs to conclude the deal.'
The astonishing price-tag would almost quadruple the Gunners' existing transfer record, the ё13million paid in August 2000 for Trezeguet's France team-mate Sylvain Wiltord. But the likely financial source of any such deal would be either the sale or exchange of Vieira, Arsenal's most-prized playing asset.
Vieira's future has been the subject of unending speculation, with Real and Juve the principal clubs being linked with his name.
Last week, Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele confirmed Real's plans to secure the signature of his countryman when he said: 'Bringing Patrick to Real to play with me is the principal objective of the club. I think Real will do everything to ensure it happens.'
Trezeguet, who scored the golden goal which made France European champions at Italy's expense two years ago, has been in outstanding form for the Bianconeri this season.
The 24-year-old tonight took his goal tally for the season to 14 with a solo effort in a 2-1 defeat of Fiorentina.
Trezeguet's arrival at Highbury would offer the mouth-watering prospect of a strike partnership with another France ace, Thierry Henry, but would would also bring an end to the Arsenal careers of one or more of Wiltord, Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp or Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu.
hard to believe but possible
By Andy Hooper
Juventus striker David Trezeguet is considering a world record ё50million move to Arsenal, according to claims made by his agent.
Trezeguet: ё50m deal would require sale of Patrick Vieira
(GraziaNeri/Allsport)
Antonio Caliendo says the France international is the target of several top clubs - but is 'very excited' about the prospect of a move to Highbury.
A ё50m deal would eclipse the ё46.5m transfer of Zinedine Zidane from Juve to Real Madrid last summer, but almost certainly require Arsenal to sell their coveted midfielder Patrick Vieira.
Quoted in the News of the World, Trezeguet's representative Caliendo says: 'David is well aware other clubs would like to sign him as well - such as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
'But his preference as a player is to be in Premier League, playing for Arsene Wenger.'
The newspaper also reports that Caliendo met the Arsenal manager at a secret meeting in London on Thursday.
And the agent adds: 'My meeting and discussion with Arsene Wenger went very well. David is very excited about the possibility of joining Arsenal.'
'We're happy with Arsenal's offer, now it's up to both clubs to conclude the deal.'
The astonishing price-tag would almost quadruple the Gunners' existing transfer record, the ё13million paid in August 2000 for Trezeguet's France team-mate Sylvain Wiltord. But the likely financial source of any such deal would be either the sale or exchange of Vieira, Arsenal's most-prized playing asset.
Vieira's future has been the subject of unending speculation, with Real and Juve the principal clubs being linked with his name.
Last week, Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele confirmed Real's plans to secure the signature of his countryman when he said: 'Bringing Patrick to Real to play with me is the principal objective of the club. I think Real will do everything to ensure it happens.'
Trezeguet, who scored the golden goal which made France European champions at Italy's expense two years ago, has been in outstanding form for the Bianconeri this season.
The 24-year-old tonight took his goal tally for the season to 14 with a solo effort in a 2-1 defeat of Fiorentina.
Trezeguet's arrival at Highbury would offer the mouth-watering prospect of a strike partnership with another France ace, Thierry Henry, but would would also bring an end to the Arsenal careers of one or more of Wiltord, Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp or Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu.
hard to believe but possible
