Barcelona target Toldo

Barcelona aim to make a sensational swoop for Fiorentina goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, who has emerged as one of the stars of Euro 2000.

The Catalan club are proposing to include their Portuguese international goalkeeper Vitor Baia as well as another player, possibly Dutchman Boudewijn Zenden, in an exchange deal which would take the Italian international to the Nou Camp.

“I had no idea about the interest but some journalist friends rang to tell me and I feel really honoured. Next Wednesday I will be meeting the president to decide my future before my wedding the following weekend,” Toldo told Barcelona daily “Mundo Deportivo” on Sunday.

Fiorentina board member Luciano Luna has confirmed Barcelona’s approach and while the club have always said that Toldo is not for sale, new coach Fatih Terim is an admirer of Dani García and would not be totally opposed to the swap if it included the reserve striker too.

“The club have told me about Barcelona’s interest in Toldo. I would agree to the swap if it included Baia and another player who I hope would be Dani,” the former Turkish national coach told the newspaper.

Baia is returning to Barcelona on 24 July after ending his loan spell with Porto and the Catalans, who had been hoping to do a permanent deal with the Portuguese club, would not think twice about trading him in for Toldo.

The 28 year-old Italian, who stands 6’ 5” (1.96m) tall, replaced the injured Gianluigi Buffon just before the start of Euro 2000 and has produced some excellent performances, culminating in three penalty saves in the semi-final against Holland.