[Igor-Turkov]

Parma want Milosevic

Parma want Real Saragoza hotshot Savo Milosevic as a replacement for Lazio-bound Hernan Crespo. But the Spanish club are demanding a king’s ransom for the Yugoslav star - £21 million (€33m).

As a result of his performance at Euro 2000, Milosevic has seen his value shoot up. He was the tournament’s joint top scorer and also had a prolific season in last season’s Spanish league.

Parma are hoping to reach agreement soon – more than once has Milosevic expressed a desire to play in Serie A. But Parma are also after Czech giant Jan Koller and Bayer Munich’s 25-year-old forward, Carsten Janken.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

€77m Toldo bid turned down

Vittorio Cecchi Gori has sensationally admitted that he turned down a €77m bid for goalkeeper Francesco Toldo last season, according to Italian newsagency ANSA.

"At the end of last season, I received a bid of 150 billion lire (€77m) for Francesco Toldo. But I rejected it and I added that he is not for sale. Then I renewed his contract. I own him and I want to continue to keep him for a long time. There is not a player like Toldo around - in the realm of human talent, he has no price," said the Fiorentina chairman in an interview with Italian television news TG1.

The chairman didn't reveal which club made the offer but the player was on the hit-list of Roma, Lazio, Manchester United and Barcelona.

Cecchi Gori also spared a word about the inflation of player prices in the last two years and admitted he was worried about the future of the game.

"Prices are touching the stars! Clubs should be careful of continuing to raise salaries like they are or they could face serious problems. Clubs are making great sacrifices but we should slow down a bit," concluded the chairman.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Reggina keeping busy in transfer market

While still dreaming of landing Roberto Baggio, Reggina were very active on the transfer market on Wednesday, signing a total of four new players.

The club have signed two young Portuguese players, after an agreement with Inter to jointly own them. The players in question are 21-year-old midfielder Paulo Costa and defender Marco Antonio Caneira, also 21. Both come from Portugal's Alverca and have played regularly in the Under-20 national team. They have already passed medicals and have signed contracts.

Later on Wednesday afternoon the club completed two further signings – 24-year-old Ivan Franceschini from Genoa, and 21-year-old defender Alessandro Zoppetti from Cremonese.

On the sales front, the club has announced a series of loan deals to lower division clubs – Mercier to Genoa, Mesto to Cremonese, Pagani to Pistoiese, Marrocolo to Foggia, Dell'Acqua to Arezzo and Cester, Priolo and Chiavaro with Marchesan to Castel San Pietro.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

£34m Crespo stays “humble”

Record-breaker Hernan Crespo says he’s keeping both feet firmly on the ground, despite his £34 million (€54m) move from Parma to Lazio. “I’ll continue to act in a humble manner,” says the striker who will become the world’s most expensive footballer.

Crespo is still getting over the shock news that a deal has been reached between the two clubs, but he told ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’ that “had a deal not been done I would have been more than happy to stay at Parma. The club and the city gave me everything. Everybody at the club helped me grow up.”

He continued: “I know that I’m the most expensive player in football history.

“But I don’t feel like a Maradona, or someone like that. Being humble has helped me in the past and I’ll continue to be so in the future.

“One man can’t win a match – he needs the help of his team-mates.”

On his move to Sven-Göran Eriksson’s side, Crespo added: “No-one could refuse a bid from such a club. They have been the strongest team in Italy for the past two seasons.

“Good friends such as Juan Sebastian Veron, Claudio Lopez and Marcelo Salas are at the club so I’m looking forward to winning things like the Champions League.”

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Vicenza snap up Parma’s Longo

Raffaele Longo will play for Vicenza next season. Despite having been close to signing with Atalanta, an agreement between last season’s Serie B champions and Parma has been reached which will see them take the midfielder on loan.

23-year-old Longo, a former Italian Under-21 player, played nine Serie A matches with Parma last season, after recovering from a terrible car crash a year ago, which kept him out of the game for months.

Meanwhile, Vicenza have also agreed to sell two players - forward Cristian Biancone will be jointly owned by Pistoiese, who he will play for next season, and Mirko Conte has been sold to Sampdoria for a fee believed to be around £645,000 (€1m).

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Now Zenden is on his way to Lazio

Dutch star Boudewijn Zenden has agreed to play for Lazio for the next four seasons. The Italian champions will pay Barcelona £7.5 million (€12m), with the Catalan club now close to signing Marc Overmars. The Zenden deal could see the Dutchman earning £1.3 million (€2.1m) a year.

Negotiations between Lazio and the player’s agent, his father Pierre Zenden, came to an end on Wednesday evening and it is understood that chairman Sergio Cragnotti will include Ivan de la Pena in the deal.

Lazio’s Swedish coach, Sven-Göran Eriksson, is a huge admirer of the Dutchman, who will replace Portugual’s Sergio Conceição. Zenden has come back from holiday and could be introduced as a new Lazio player within a matter of hours.

Zenden, 23, has played two seasons for Barcelona after arriving from PSV Eindhoven. Criticized by Barça’s fans, his performance at Euro 2000 has raised his value on the European football market.

Zenden’s farewell opens the door for his fellow countryman Marc Overmars. The Arsenal player has agreed to join Barcelona, who are waiting to sell one or two more players before announcing his arrival.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Reggina’s Chairman wants Roberto Baggio

Pasquale Foti, president of Reggina is trying to sign former Italy international Roberto Baggio, still regarded as one of the most famous footballers around.

In an interview with radio network Rtl 102.5 on Tuesday, the chairman said: “Well actually there are just a series of crossed messages we send each other.

“But surely we are doing our best and working to reach this target. Obviously we must come to an agreement on the requirements Roberto Baggio has with those of our club. We are waiting to see if there is a concrete chance to take the negotiation a step further than it is now,” Foti explained.

Baggio is actually out of contract, since the one he had with Inter expired on 30 June. The forward, probably the best player in Italy in the last 10 years, won the golden ball in 1993, the third Italian to do so after Gianni Rivera and Paolo Rossi.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Bari sign Chilean

Chilean forward Jaime Gonzales will be wearing the shirt of Bari next season. An agreement with his club Colo Colo and the Italian side has finally been reached, the result of negotiations which have been taking place over the past few weeks.

The South American club are expected to earn around 3 billion lire (€1.5m) from the sale of the 24 year-old striker.

The player will be introduced to the press and supporters on Wednesday afternoon at the San Nicola stadium.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Alenitchev moves to Porto

Perugia’s Russian international midfielder Dmitri Alenitchev is moving to Portuguese club Porto in a £2.6 million (€4.1m) deal. The sale comes a week after the departure of Croat Milan Rapajc.

Alenitchev’s move to Porto is surprising. Perugia chairman Luciano Gaucci had told ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’ that the midfielder was not on the market, following his impressive display against Liege in an Intertoto Cup match.

But Gaucci maintained that the “sale of Alenitchev does not mean that the club is not intent on forming a stronger team.”

Alenitchev, 27, spent two years in Serie A and first played with AS Roma. He made 43 appearances but only managed to score two goals.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Conceição angry at being pawn in Parma game

“I deserved more respect,” Sérgio Conceição cannot hold back his disappointment. Lazio boss Sergio Cragnotti had more than once affirmed that the Portuguese midfielder had a major part to play in the new-look Lazio, but after Salas’s refusal Conceição became a fundamental part of the Hernan Crespo deal.

“I am very disappointed in the way Lazio have behaved. I expected more attention and to be honest I had no intention of leaving Rome. However, I am a professional and in the end I am forced to accept this decision.”

Conceição was bought from Porto two seasons ago at a cost of 18 billion lire (€9.3m), and it turned out to be a good deal; now they are selling him for double that amount.

Meanwhile, Tuesday was one of the days that Lazio will never forget. After the official announcement regarding the acquisition of Hernan Crespo, Sergio Cragnotti locked himself away in his office to set up another deal, namely the purchase of Udinese’s Stefano Fiore and Giuliano Giannichedda.

Giannichedda is expected to join the Rome club for this season, but they will have to wait until 2001 to get their hands on Fiore.

Lazio’s ambition does not stop there. Cragnotti has a dream; to get his hands on Barcelona’s Brazilian ace Rivaldo: “Our interest in Rivaldo is still high, but before opening negotiations we must wait until 23 July, the day on which Barcelona elect their new president,” declared the Lazio boss.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Baggio’s going nowhere

Inter Milan’s Roberto Baggio looks to be staying at the club. The ‘Codino’ (ponytail) is wanted by a host of foreign clubs, including Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen.

The chances of Baggio moving to Lazio are zero, as is a move to Atlanta, Perugia or Napoli. Now a new club has entered the picture: Reggina.

“I don’t want to give myself false hopes nor wait in vain,” said Reggina president Lillo Foti.

“But I’m sure that an ace like Roberto Baggio could end his career with us in the best of ways: our public would give him the warmth and enthusiasm that he deserves.”

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Bradford to steal Swede

Bradford City are trying to hijack Swedish star Niclas Alexandersson's £2.5 million (€4m) move to Everton.

Boss Chris Hutchings is hoping to agree a fee with Sheffield Wednesday and better Alexandersson's personal package at Goodison.

Everton thought that they could clinch the deal this week, but could now be left embarrassed by Bradford's late entry into the race that has caused them unforeseen problems.

Boss Walter Smith wanted Alexandersson to sign this week, but now Bradford will offer him superior wages to join them.

Bradford are hopeful of pulling off the swoop for Alexandersson and beating Everton again after pipping them to David Hopkin.

The former Leeds and Scotland midfielder met Smith but chose to move down the road to Bradford where he was given a record contract.

Everton are still being careful with their cash. They plan to push through a £4.5 million (€7m) deal for Lens's Ghanaian Alex Nyarko who flies in for talks today.

But until the futures of Nick Barmby, Don Hutchison, and John Collins are sorted out, they are unsure of what they have to spend.

Hutchison is due for talks with Charlton after a £2.5 million (€4m) price was agreed, but he may now have second thoughts and wait for his contract to run out next summer.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Chelsea boss blasts English players

Influential Chelsea chief Ken Bates has declared that the Londoners will continue to snub English players because they are not good enough.

The FA council member - in a shock attack - said: "Why haven't we bought more English players? The European championship speaks for itself - they are not good enough."

His blast came on the very day Chris Sutton completed a £6 million (€10m) move from Stamford Bridge to Celtic after a miserable 12 months at the club.

Refusing to apologise for the game's standards in England he added: "Looking back over the last season, this 'bunch of foreign mercenary under-achievers' only won the FA Cup.

"And of course they only got as far as Manchester United in the Champions League and reached fifth in the Premiership - though that was a disappointment."

Professional Footballers Association chairman Gordon Taylor declared: "If Ken Bates feels Chelsea have to go out and buy foreign because there are no British players good enough, that's a terrible indictment on our game's coaching standards.

"The trouble is that the emphasis is on club football in this country. No disrespect to Ken. He has done an excellent job along with the other club chairmen running our game.

"But Ken's interests are for Chelsea to do well and that is going to conflict with England doing well."

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Smith in line for great Dane

Everton boss Walter Smith is making a £2.5 million (€4m) bid to sign Danish Euro 2000 midfielder Thomas Gravesen.

Smith hopes to clinch a deal with German club Hamburg this week for the 24-year-old who was in the Denmark squad for the finals.

Gravesen is being sold by Hamburg as he enters the last year of his contract, the same situation Smith himself faces with Don Hutchison and Nick Barmby.

Everton are trying to throw Norwegian keeper Thomas Myhre into the deal, valuing him at around £1 million (€1.6m).

However, agents working for Everton are close to sealing the Gravesen part of the transfer as Smith revamps his midfield.

Smith is also closing in on Lens's Ghanaian midfielder Alex Nyarko, who flies in today for talks on a £4.5 million (€7.2m) switch to the Premier League.

Nyarko and Gravesen would form the centre of midfield, with Stephen Hughes moving to the left to take the place of the outgoing John Collins.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Ginola wants £1m

David Ginola wants a £1 million (€1.6m) Spurs pay-off. Tottenham have accepted a £3 million (€5m) offer from Aston Villa.

But to get him off the payroll they will have to accept £2 million and allow the French winger to pocket the other £1 million.

Ginola has finally come to terms with the fact that he's unwanted at White Hart Lane and Villa boss John Gregory now hopes the terms of his pay-off can be thrashed out.

He said: "Tottenham's rejection has hurt him more than anything else and he's found it hard to accept.

"His hopes that he may still have a future down there has held things up but I'm confident of pushing things through within the next few days."

Villa chairman Doug Ellis is abroad at the moment but returns to the UK on Friday.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Exclusive: Bejbl spoilt for choice

Sunderland boss Peter Reid is in danger of missing out on Czech Republic star Radek Bejbl - with French club Lens set to swoop.

Reid was close to tying up a £2.5 million (€4m) swoop for the blond midfielder after agreeing a fee with Spanish side Athletico Madrid.

However, as Reid dithers, Lens have stepped in with a rival offer and Athletico have given them permission to speak to Bejbl.

Lens wants Bejbl to replace Everton-bound Ghanaian Alex Nyarko, who is heading to Merseyside to seal a £4.5 million (€7m) transfer.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Alexandersson reluctant over Bradford move

Bradford City are facing a fight to persuade Swedish Euro 2000 star Niclas Alexandersson to become their next big-money deal.

Alexandersson could become the third Sheffield Wednesday player to join them after the clubs agreed a £2.5 million (€4m) deal.

However, Alexandersson is more interested in moving to Everton and may avoid talks with Bradford until boss Walter Smith can put a deal together for him.

Everton cannot commit on Alexandersson until they get the futures of Nick Barmby, Don Hutchison and John Collins sorted out.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Nyarko deal almost done

Alex Nyarko’s chances of playing in the Premiership have been given a major boost - Lens and Everton have agreed a £4.5m (€7m) deal for the Ghanaian international.

It’s now up to Everton to convince the midfielder to come to Goodison Park, but manager Walter Smith will have his work cut out. Nyarko took time to bed down at Lens after he arrived from German club Karlsruhe, and he won’t want to start from scratch in England.

Nyarko has been in daily contact with Fulham coach Jean Tigana, who would love to use him as a key player. The African may fly to Liverpool to discuss terms and a four-year contract worth £1 million (€1.52m) a season. If Smith manages to convince him, then Nyarko could sign on the dotted line soon.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Sutton the spitter

Shamed Chris Sutton was found guilty of spitting in the face of a supporter on the same day as he became Scottish football's most expensive signing.

The £6 million (€10m) striker was found guilty on two counts of common assault at Horseferry Magistrates Court in London.

He was ordered to pay a total of £700 (€1,100) (including costs) to his victim, trainee barrister Richard Partridge - a 5ft 3 inch Manchester United supporter.

The incident occurred after Sutton and a group of friends, including team-mate Jody Morris, left a restaurant at 2.30 am on the day Chelsea were beaten by Derby County last October.

The court heard that Morris approached one of Mr Partridge's party threatening to "bounce our heads off the scaffolding."

After the hearing Sutton described the court ruling as "a joke."

He said: "I don't know if it's the situation with football appearing to be out of order recently but I don't see why I should be tarred with the same brush."

But stipendiary magistrate Susan Staveley said she had found both common assault charges proved because there was "total consistency of evidence" against him.

 

[Igor-Turkov]

Overmars ready to leave Gunners

Arsenal star Marc Overmars is close to signing a four-year deal with Barcelona, worth £1.4 million (€2.2m) a year.

Overmars’ compatriots Ruud Hesp and Boudewijn Zenden look to be on their way out of the Nou Camp, but Overmars confirmed his interest in a move with Barca officials during Patrick Kluivert’s wedding in Holland.

Overmars is a big fan of the Spanish game and would rather move to Spain than Italy, even if it means less money.

The player’s agent, Rob Jansen, has denied that a deal is on the table. But Overmars wants to tie up the move before the elections for Barcelona’s new president take place.

But the Spaniards will have to pay the Gunners a total of £15 million (€24m) for the deal to go through.

Hesp has been told that he can leave, and Lazio are rumoured to have offered £7.5m (€12m) for Zenden. He will come in for Portuguese player Sergio Conceiçao, who will move to Parma as part of the Hernan Crespo deal.

Other players who could also be leaving include Winston Bogarde, who is understood to have had offers from England. Ronald de Boer may also go, but both players would rather stay at Barcelona.