What the papers say

21 May 1999
Juventus Official Site

We are at the tail-end of the season. It really does seem as though the negotiations between Alessandro Del Piero and Juventus are in the home straight. In addition to his physical rehabilitation, the Juventus No.10 has to think about the problem of his contract. Tuttosport's front page opens with: "Del Piero 2004, the deed is done! Alex and Juve set to sign contract worth 9bn lire (around 3.2m pounds sterling) per year". Tuttosport says that there was a meeting yesterday with the playmaker's managers in Milan. The paper claims that the two-hour meeting resolved the deadlock.

"The details of the exploitation of his image are still to be settled, but there is now a clear feeling that we are close to sorting things out". Stefano Agresti adds that "it will be a five-year contract in accordance with the rules, exclusive of private agreements which might extend it". La Gazzetta dello Sport has the headline: "Del Piero on two tracks laid with gold". It says that Luciano Moggi called yesterday's meeting as useful in clarifying the two parties' opening positions regarding the renewal of Del Piero's contract. This is still what both sides want. The paper says that the Juventus bosses have replied to the money demands of Alex's managers ("around 20bn lire per annum or approximately 7m pounds sterling for his performances on the pitch and for the rights to his image together) with its own figures. Juventus' offer is "7-8bn lire (around 3.8-4.3m pounds sterling) just for his playing contract or 12bn lire (around 6.5m pounds sterling) for his playing contract and the rights to his image". La Stampa: "After the Milan meeting, the most major sticking point is the rights to his image".

On a different note the paper says a Doxa poll shows that one out of three Italians is a Juventus fan. Browsing through the two sports papers we come across an Angelo Di Livio interview in which he sums up a season which has not exactly come up to expectations and confirms he will be lining up for Juventus next season. Finally there is speculation about Juventus' interest in Conceicao.

In the footballing world in general the spotlight is on the "Vieri cyclone". Gazzetta dello Sport describes him as "one of the best in the world" and talks about Lazio: "Cragnotti, after his triumph, wants to celebrate the Scudetto". Then the paper speculates that Amoroso "is interested in joining both Milans", that Novellino may be confirmed at Venezia and that there is a real possibility of Simone going back to Napoli. Tuttosport says that Bobo (Vieri) wants to add to this week's European victory.

On the front page the paper says that "Aghemo's offer for Torino is on the table" and that "it will now be assessed by Vidulich who has no comment to make right now". The paper adds that Aghemo would be prepared to buy Torino even if it stayed in Serie B. "38bn lire (around 20.5m pounds sterling) in cash". The spotlight is also on Sampdoria and Inter. Tuttosport says that Roberto Baggio wants to stay with Inter. The paper refers to "the avalanche of telephone calls from Inter supporters fielded by the newspaper. They want to change the management". La Stampa speculates on the likelihood of Pavarese's resignation if Torino fail to gain promotion and talks of a "Lazio which shows its muscles and goes into a sprint".
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