Del Piero ponders foreign move

January 26, 2001
Onefootball.com

Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero has revealed that he may leave Juventus at the end of the season. The £83,000-a-week star put the world's richest clubs on alert by admitting: "I would like to go abroad."

Del Piero orchestrated the Bianconeri's last championship triumph in 1997-98, but serious injury and a subsequent loss of form have snatched away his golden boy tag.

The Little Prince is also aware that Bari wonderkid Antonio Cassano could replace him in the same way that he replaced Roberto Baggio in 1993.

"At the end of the season I will have to consider everything," Del Piero said. "The situation reminds me of what happened to Baggio, so I want everything to be clear."

Speculation has linked the 26-year-old with AC Milan, but Del Piero says that he is more attracted by a move abroad than to another side in Serie A.

"I have a magnificent relationship with Juventus," he said. "It's important to stop a moment and talk about it. I have to make a decision, but I can say that I have had no approach from AC Milan. I would like to go abroad."

Del Piero's troubles began when he damaged knee ligaments in a match against Udinese in November 1998.

Juventus patiently waited for his return but Del Piero has never rediscovered his old swagger and the Turin giants may be tempted to cash in on their highly-paid star, whose contract does not expire until 2005.

Del Piero scored his first goal from open play since injuring his knee at the beginning of this season, then suffered another minor knock at the end of last year.

The skilful forward has now recovered and is ready to play, but manager Carlo Ancelotti is likely to leave him among the substitutes for the visit of Vicenza on Sunday as Filippo Inzaghi is back in scoring form.

If Del Piero struggles to win his place back, his career at Juventus will almost certainly come to an end in the summer. English big spenders Chelsea are likely to lead the chase for one of the hottest properties in the game.
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