[Raul]

Rivaldo walks away from Barcelona ...

ROME, April 20
Rome team Lazio have signed Brazilian Rivaldo from Spanish club Barcelona for 99 billion lire ($48.4 million/£30 million), Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport said on Thursday.

The paper said Lazio Chairman Sergio Cragnotti had personally sealed the deal but had agreed not to make it public immediately.

The transfer had been on the agenda for months before the Italian daily newspaper announced the story.

"It is probable that Barcelona will deny it today, but by now it's a done deal," the paper reported.

It added that Lazio would be selling several players to help finance the purchase including Boksic, Salas, Almeyda and Stankovic.


Rivaldo goes to Lazio for 99 billion lire

With this deal, the Brasilian player becomes the most expensive player in football's history.

In 1999 Vieri was bought by Inter Milan for 82 billion lire and Denilson went to Real Betis for 62 billion lire in 1998, but Rivaldo's 5-year contract goes far beyond these previous transfers.

The Lazio Chairman decided not to reveal the transfer before Barcelona played against Chelsea in the Champion League on Wednesday evening.

 

[The Miss]

It is not even confirmed yet. There has not been 1 mention of it in any of the Spanish newspapers from today, so let's wait until it's confirmed from both sides on a press
conference before you hang out your flag !

The Miss

 

[labas]

I also wouldn't be so sure, but I certainly do hope so. BTW Vieri went to inter for 50 mln$ so this is the second highest transfer.
And Raul, why are you posting so seldom?

 

[Lochness_Monster]

Yes,but the news travelled to Greece as well and soon world wide,they can no longer deny it,it's a fact!
They are making a big mistake though,selling the key players of Lazio like Almeyda and Stankovic...

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*AVANTI LAZIO,IL FUTURO TI APPARTIENE*

 

[Raul]

And... that topic was in www.eurosport.com .

 

[Raul]

Here is more about it...

REPORTS SAY RIVALDO HEADING FOR ITALY


Is Rivaldo on his way to Italy?

ROME, April 20 - Italian Serie A soccer club Lazio on Thursday refused to comment on reports that they had signed Barcelona's Brazilian striker Rivaldo for 99 billion lire ($48 million).

The story emerged in the Italian sports daily "La Gazzetta dello Sport ".


"It is probable that Barcelona will deny it today but by now it's a done deal," the paper said.

It added that Lazio would be selling several players to help finance the purchase, including Croatian striker Alen Boksic, Chilean striker Marcelo Salas, Argentine midfielder Matias Almeyda and Yugoslav midfielder Dejan Stankovic.

Rivaldo helped Barcelona to a thrilling 5-1 victory over Chelsea and a place in the Champions League semifinals this week with two goals, including a penalty in extra time. Rivaldo's name has been linked in the past with outgoing European Champions Manchester United but said if he left Barcelona it would be to join an Italian team.

He has a contract with the Spanish club until 2003. Rivaldo, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Wednesday, has had a series of problems with Barcelona this season, his third at the Nou Camp.

Trouble flared back in August when stories began circulating that Manchester United were preparing a bid to make him the most expensive player in the world amid speculation that his agent was trying to negotiate an improved contract for him.

Barcelona had a more serious problem on their hands in December when Rivaldo, newly crowned European Player of the Year, said he did not want to play on the left wing in Louis van Gaal's rigid 4-3-3 playing system.

The Brazilian was immediately dropped for two games, returning only after he apologised in public to the coach and his team-mates. Since then, Rivaldo's form has flickered between the brilliant and merely average, mirroring the erratic form of the team as a whole in a wildly inconsistent season.

He is Barcelona's top scorer in the Champions League with 10 goals, including his two against Chelsea. He played that game in the position he has always wanted at Barca, as a central midfielder operating just behind striker Patrick Kluivert.

"That was my most complete performance for Barcelona," said Rivaldo before celebrating with his team-mates and family at a surprise birthday party at a hotel near the Barca ground. ($1=2045.4 Lire)

 

[Raul]

Where Lazio get this money???

 

[labas]

They are to sell Almeyda and Stankovic. Watch out del Bosque these two guys are SOooooooooooo good! We really should look into the matter...

 

[Lochness_Monster]

We will have probs without Almeyda and Deki,'coz our midfield will stay with just 4 good players...We bought jardel but i would prefer to keep our 4 players and not buy Rivaldo,he's too expensive!

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*AVANTI LAZIO,IL FUTURO TI APPARTIENE*