Club director general says Del Piero staying with Juventus

May 12, 1999
SportsServer

TURIN, Italy - Star striker Alessandro Del Piero is staying with Italian Serie A side Juventus for at least another season, club director general Luciano Moggi said Wednesday.

"Del Piero is staying with Juve," said Moggi. "I know that he is widely sought after by many prestigious clubs, but I'm convinced that he will stay at Juve."

Moggi was speaking before next Monday's meeting between Juventus bosses, Del Piero and his agent Claudio Pasqualin to discuss Del Piero's future with the club after his contract terminates in June 2000.

Moggi, the master planner of all Juventus transfers, has made similar statements in the past regarding other players such as Italian World Cup striker Christian Vieri, who finally transferred to Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid.

Talks with Del Piero have turned into a year-long soap opera in Italian football. His season ended in injury last November, but a deal estimated at 22 million dollars has stalled with sides reluctant to make concessions.

The club has stalled partly because of the extent of Del Piero's knee-ligament injuries, which required surgery in the United States, and partly because of the nature of the new deal.

Juventus is also trying to introduce all-encompassing contracts whereby a player's private sponsors -- who in Del Piero's case are worth far more than his salary -- are handled by the club.

If no agreement is reached by June next year, the club will not earn anything from the departure of a player worth around $30 million.
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