Juventus have signed versatile midfielder Luciano Zauri from Atalanta in a swap deal that sees defender Marco Zanchi and midfielder Enzo Maresca moving in the opposite direction. Juve will retain joint-ownership of former West Brom star Maresca.
The only stumbling-block to the deal was whether Atalanta could afford the salaries of their two new recruits, but that bridge has been crossed.
"This was the only condition on the deal," explained Atalanta president Ivan Ruggeri. "We can't afford to put our club's budget into a critical state."
Initially Juve had wanted to give Michele Paramatti to Atalanta, but the defender refused to accept a cut in his salary.
Zauri prefers to play on the left, but can operate in any position in midfield or across the back-line. He grew up at Atalanta under the tutelage of Cesare Prandelli, who is now coach of Parma.
Born in 1978, he made his Serie A debut as a 19-year-old in Atalanta's 4-1 defeat to Roma. He moved on loan to Chievo, then in Serie B, in 1997-98, before returning to become an ever-present in Bergamo the following season.
The only stumbling-block to the deal was whether Atalanta could afford the salaries of their two new recruits, but that bridge has been crossed.
"This was the only condition on the deal," explained Atalanta president Ivan Ruggeri. "We can't afford to put our club's budget into a critical state."
Initially Juve had wanted to give Michele Paramatti to Atalanta, but the defender refused to accept a cut in his salary.
Zauri prefers to play on the left, but can operate in any position in midfield or across the back-line. He grew up at Atalanta under the tutelage of Cesare Prandelli, who is now coach of Parma.
Born in 1978, he made his Serie A debut as a 19-year-old in Atalanta's 4-1 defeat to Roma. He moved on loan to Chievo, then in Serie B, in 1997-98, before returning to become an ever-present in Bergamo the following season.
