courtesy of Sportal....
TURIN, May 20 (Serie A) -- A high-powered Juventus delegation is reportedly ready to go to Manchester United hoping to nail down a deal for the Italian club's France defender Lilian Thuram. Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have had his eye on Thuram, who boasts world and European championship medals, for some time. Today's edition of the Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport says the Juve delegation to Old Trafford will be led by their president Luciano Moggi. Tuttosport says United might propose an exchange involving their Argentina international Juan Sebastian Veron, in whom Juventus have shown interest. But the Bianconeri, the paper says, would rather have the money to help them buy either Lazio defender Alessandro Nesta or Parma defender Fabio Cannavaro. United's last offer for Thuram was £15million but it is understood Juventus are holding out for more. Thuram has not settled in well at Turin since his £22million transfer from Parma, according to team-mate Gianluigi Buffon. The Italy goalkeeper, who also moved to Juventus last summer from Parma, told Gazzetta dello Sport recently: "Juve has a different mentality compared to other squads -- the club creates great champions and not the opposite. "Thuram has not understood this, he hasn't felt as significant as he would have expected." Many see the Frenchman as a terrific fit for United whose defensive problems were glaringly obvious as they slumped to a third-place finish in this year's Premiership.
Transfer speculation is in full swing in Italy. Liverpool are reportedly interested in Portuguese international Manuel Rui Costa ( <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> ). According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Reds are willing to offer 50million Euros (£31.5million)( <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> ) to AC Milan for the playmaker.
The Rossoneri have their eyes fixed on the Portuguese Under-21 international midfielder Hugo Viana, who plays for Sporting Lisbon.
Argentina international Gabriel Batistuta could leave Rome after the World Cup and Gazzetta dello Sport today linked the 33-year-old striker to English Premiership side Chelsea. According to Gazzetta, Roma could propose an exchange with Chelsea for Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Tuttosport have claimed that Italy legend Franco Baresi has been offered the chance to manage English Premiership side Fulham. The paper says the AC Milan vice-president is evaluating the offer. Real Madrid's dream of getting Brazilian striker Ronaldo have been dashed with the 25-year-old confirming he will stay at Inter Milan until 2006.
TURIN, May 20 (Serie A) -- A high-powered Juventus delegation is reportedly ready to go to Manchester United hoping to nail down a deal for the Italian club's France defender Lilian Thuram. Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have had his eye on Thuram, who boasts world and European championship medals, for some time. Today's edition of the Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport says the Juve delegation to Old Trafford will be led by their president Luciano Moggi. Tuttosport says United might propose an exchange involving their Argentina international Juan Sebastian Veron, in whom Juventus have shown interest. But the Bianconeri, the paper says, would rather have the money to help them buy either Lazio defender Alessandro Nesta or Parma defender Fabio Cannavaro. United's last offer for Thuram was £15million but it is understood Juventus are holding out for more. Thuram has not settled in well at Turin since his £22million transfer from Parma, according to team-mate Gianluigi Buffon. The Italy goalkeeper, who also moved to Juventus last summer from Parma, told Gazzetta dello Sport recently: "Juve has a different mentality compared to other squads -- the club creates great champions and not the opposite. "Thuram has not understood this, he hasn't felt as significant as he would have expected." Many see the Frenchman as a terrific fit for United whose defensive problems were glaringly obvious as they slumped to a third-place finish in this year's Premiership.
Transfer speculation is in full swing in Italy. Liverpool are reportedly interested in Portuguese international Manuel Rui Costa ( <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> ). According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Reds are willing to offer 50million Euros (£31.5million)( <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> ) to AC Milan for the playmaker.
The Rossoneri have their eyes fixed on the Portuguese Under-21 international midfielder Hugo Viana, who plays for Sporting Lisbon.
Argentina international Gabriel Batistuta could leave Rome after the World Cup and Gazzetta dello Sport today linked the 33-year-old striker to English Premiership side Chelsea. According to Gazzetta, Roma could propose an exchange with Chelsea for Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Tuttosport have claimed that Italy legend Franco Baresi has been offered the chance to manage English Premiership side Fulham. The paper says the AC Milan vice-president is evaluating the offer. Real Madrid's dream of getting Brazilian striker Ronaldo have been dashed with the 25-year-old confirming he will stay at Inter Milan until 2006.