From the papers

June 2, 1999
Juventus Official Site

A fiery day for the national papers. The front pages announce the Vieri business as if it had now become an affair of state. "Juve are after Vieri" is Corriere dello Sport's opening headline. The paper bases the whole edition around the Vieri business. "Meanwhile Cragnotti proposes that Mancini takes over as president of Lazio. Sensi-Zeman: clash." Tuttosport's headline is "Vieri to Inter". The paper adds: "Moratti: I am ready to buy him, but without going crazy. The bomber [Vieri]: they're selling me."

There is no doubt that the market is reaching boiling point. The papers say that Juventus, consigned to the Intertoto Cup ("Juve - TV, advertising, sponsors, gate money: how damaging to have missed out (for now) on the UEFA Cup"), is speeding up its moves to reshape the squad. Tuttosport: "Juve earthquake. Del Piero up for sale. Pessotto and Iuliano to move to England." And: "Ancelotti: this squad needs to be reshaped, I want a squad of 24 players." The paper speculates that O'Brien will play in the Intertoto and about interest in Roma's Di Biagio. It also speculates about the Juventus deal with Udinese for Giannichedda which is nearly done whilst the possibility of signing Bachini is cooling off. The Bianconeri are determined to play all their international matches far away from Turin."

The Piemontese sports daily also claims that Bologna are negotiating with Nakata for 50bn lira (around £18m). And: "Seedorf turns down the Rome team and prefers to stay at Real Madrid - Muzzi also has contacts with Arsenal - Winter to Ajax." Many of these leaks are also reported by Corriere dello Sport: "Arsenal, 20bn lira (around £7m) for Muzzi", adding that at "Napoli: Ferlaino is after Iuliano. Inter loan Ze Elias to Bologna. Fiorentina close to (signing) Bertotto. Milanese to Piacenza with Simoni. Inter show renewed interest in Montero. Perugia's plans: Mazzone asks for Bia and Binotto - Glerean no longer going to Salerno."

Not surprisingly there is plenty of news on the Italian national team. Pessotto and Nesta out injured, Zoff calls up Di Livio and Sala. But Tuttosport and La Stampa have the day's scoop: "This is how Olympic sport will change. A letter from Agnelli, who enters the IOC executive in Lausanne in 2000." And then: "Udine parties but a saddened Guidolin goes to Spain."
.