07/05/2000. Lazio’s Chilean striker Marcelo Salas has refused to leave Rome as part of the Italian champions’ transfer package for Parma’s Argentine goal-ace Hernan Crespo.
In refusing the move, Salas has prioritized his family over the $1 million more per year he would be earning with Parma, not to mention the mansion, luxury car, and other gifts he would receive from the club.
Appearing on a Chilean television program earlier this week, Salas intimated that climactic reasons were behind his reluctance to bring his family to Parma.
“It’s very cold there, and I don’t want my wife Camila to be freezing all year,” said Salas. “It’s true that the offer is economically advantageous, but I prefer to give privilege to my family.”
The gialloblu, meanwhile, consider Salas to be an integral part of any deal involving Crespo. Agent Gustavo Mascardi, who represents both Salas and Crespo, has meetings with directors from Parma and Lazio scheduled for later this week, and Salas’ attitude has clearly left him a bit peeved.
“It’s difficult to convince a pig-headed player like Marcelo Salas to accept a move to Parma,” said Mascardi. "Salas is so stubborn that he has already rejected a move to Chelsea. He is a combative person, and it’s difficult for him to accept the idea of leaving Roma. In any case, other solutions can be studied.”
Those “other solutions” might involve Lazio’s Portuguese international winger Sergio Conceicao, but Parma are seemingly not as interested in him as they once were. Plus, if Crespo goes, they will need to replace him with a dedicated goalscorer.
However, Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti remains hopeful.
"I’m optimistic about the final success of the negotiations,” said Cragnotti. “We will resolve everything this week or next week at the latest. Salas and Crespo are professionals who want guarantees, which they will have. We are moving forward and we plan to give our supporters the greatest satisfaction.”
[Edited by isgna on 05-07-2000 at 19:27]
In refusing the move, Salas has prioritized his family over the $1 million more per year he would be earning with Parma, not to mention the mansion, luxury car, and other gifts he would receive from the club.
Appearing on a Chilean television program earlier this week, Salas intimated that climactic reasons were behind his reluctance to bring his family to Parma.
“It’s very cold there, and I don’t want my wife Camila to be freezing all year,” said Salas. “It’s true that the offer is economically advantageous, but I prefer to give privilege to my family.”
The gialloblu, meanwhile, consider Salas to be an integral part of any deal involving Crespo. Agent Gustavo Mascardi, who represents both Salas and Crespo, has meetings with directors from Parma and Lazio scheduled for later this week, and Salas’ attitude has clearly left him a bit peeved.
“It’s difficult to convince a pig-headed player like Marcelo Salas to accept a move to Parma,” said Mascardi. "Salas is so stubborn that he has already rejected a move to Chelsea. He is a combative person, and it’s difficult for him to accept the idea of leaving Roma. In any case, other solutions can be studied.”
Those “other solutions” might involve Lazio’s Portuguese international winger Sergio Conceicao, but Parma are seemingly not as interested in him as they once were. Plus, if Crespo goes, they will need to replace him with a dedicated goalscorer.
However, Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti remains hopeful.
"I’m optimistic about the final success of the negotiations,” said Cragnotti. “We will resolve everything this week or next week at the latest. Salas and Crespo are professionals who want guarantees, which they will have. We are moving forward and we plan to give our supporters the greatest satisfaction.”
[Edited by isgna on 05-07-2000 at 19:27]
