Real Madrid make offer for Del Piero

May 11, 1999
ATL World Soccer News

Real Madrid have confirmed an interest in signing Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero.

As the European season ends each new day brings more transfer speculation and Real have been at the centre of the market so far.

Last Thursday came a bid for SS Lazio forward Christian Vieri. This was rejected by the Serie A leaders so the Spanish giants then revived their interest in 19 year old Nicolas Anelka at Arsenal. The English press has been expecting a £15 million bid for the French international this week by Real but the club have also been in high level talks about the future of Ronaldo at Internazionale.

President Lorenzo Sanz gave a radio interview last Friday to say he had been seen in with Inter president Massimo Maratti about Ronaldo but Moratti's resignation had placed a major obstacle in any move for the 22 year old star. Rumours of another bid for Zinedine Zidane still exist in European football circles as well.

This latest link with Alessandro Del Piero has a credibility that the earlier transfer stories lacked.

Del Piero has not agreed a new contract with Juve and his wage demands are such that the Turin club may lose their young star. 

Juventus' last offer was rejected by Del Piero who is recovering from a serious knee injury but club owner Gianni Agnelli has said the club will try again to keep the player at the Italian champions.

His deal ends next summer with Juventus and they risk losing him on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. This summer was always likely to decide the future of Del Piero with Juve and the interest of Real Madrid could see the striker move to Spain. He would cost at least £15 million and wants to be placed in the same wage bracket as Ronaldo at Inter. That means any buying club producing £120,000 a week in wages. Real Madrid have faxed an offer to Juventus and are likely to speak to the player soon.
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