From the papers

May 28, 1999
Juventus Official Site

As ever, today's papers are filled with football, cycling and Formula One, as well as market news and transfer speculation. But all the main Italian front pages feature Juventus' coup in recruiting Van der Sar to replace Peruzzi. The headlines all suggest that Juventus are about to make a number of sensational offers to rebuild their squad.

Corriere dello Sport covers the press conference held for Van der Sar, speculating on the possible signing of Djetou in exchange for Deschamps and predicts a flurry of goalkeeping transfer activity. According to the paper, Peruzzi's departure will trigger a wave of moves starting with Pagliuca (linked with Bologna), Antonioli (linked with Roma) and Sereni (linked with Lazio).

Bologna's win in the first leg of their UEFA Cup play-off at Inter plays second fiddle to the transfer market news. The paper speculates on talks between Lazio and Seedorf and reports on Trapattoni's disappointment after his failure to buy Kuffour. He is trying to make up for that by signing Benarrivo or Mussi as he waits for Torricelli to recuperate.

The paper also claims that Milan have asked for Mboma as second choice to Weah and suggests that Inter will sign the forward Jancker and that the Japanese international Nanami is close to joining Venezia.

Returning to Juventus, the papers allege that Juventus are in talks with Rangers for the other Amoruso and are also competing with Real Madrid for Anelka. Then there are the gibes between Bettega and Cragnotti. In connection with Cragnotti's offer of a Vieri-Del Piero swap, Juventus vice-president Bettega and Ancelotti reply: "Del Piero? Never thought about giving him a transfer."

Tonight's play-off barely makes the headlines in Tuttosport either: "Juve play for their future at Udine." The match kicks off at 20:45 with Juventus missing Deschamps, Amoruso and Fonseca through injuries but most of the paper is again taken up by the much talked about but still hypothetical Vieri-Del Piero swap. "Vieri to Juve. Del Piero to Lazio" and "The idea is Cragnotti's." They also then question whether the real target is Salas and build this around coverage of the first day at Juventus for Van der Sar and Zambrotta.

Tuttosport also covers the big news at Torino: "Ferrante-Minotti row. Training ground dispute. Insults, kicks, then they make up." The paper explains the reasons for the argument and highlights Mondonico's ability to take the sting out of it by referring to the positive energy before a big game such as the one against Brescia.

Peruzzi is said to have asked Inter for a four-year 20bn lira (around £7m) contract. Pagliuca is close to signing for Bologna or Manchester United. Will Milan buy Tonetto? Eriksson wants Inzaghi Junior and Sereni as back-up for Marchegiani. And Simone says: "I'll be going to Juventus or Fiorentina." Beaten at home by Bologna, Inter's hopes of a place in Europe next season are fading.

Finally on to cycling and Formula One: "The Giro toasts the success of the most talked-about cyclist, Virenque." And "Schumacher, afraid of Barcelona. Sunday's race is on a circuit that favours McLaren. Michael (Schuhmacher) and Irvine are pessimistic but Hakkinen isn't jumping for joy either. Today sees the first test - the qualifying race, tomorrow the official race." And then: "Primavera (youth team): Torino and Juventus ready to contest the Scudetto. Today sees the final of the Primavera Championship.
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