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Juventus in pursuit of Veron
London, June 14: Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron could be following David Beckham out the exit door at Old Trafford, according to press reports in England and Italy.
London, June 14: Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron could be following David Beckham out the exit door at Old Trafford, according to press reports in England and Italy.
Juventus contacted Manchester United with an inquiry about Veron's availability in April and, according to Italian reports, have prepared a 20-million-euro bid for the midfielder.
The Turin giants could also attempt to tempt United into a sale by offering either Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids or French defender Lilian Thuram as part of a swap deal.
United manager Alex Ferguson is long-standing admirer of both players and Juve have reason to sell. David will be free agent next summer and able to leave for nothing while Thuram has reportedly fallen out with Juventus coach Marcelo Lippi.
Pini Zihavi, an agent who was involved in United's 28-million pound signing of Veron from Lazio in 2001, confirmed Juventus's interest.
"They have been interested in him a long time," he told reporters. His name was brought up (in talks between the clubs) towards the end of the season."
It remains to be seen if Ferguson will be prepared to offload Veron and effectively admit that he overpaid for a player who has, in the eyes of most United fans, been a huge disappointment in his two seasons at Old Trafford.
His presence in the United midfield was seen as a key reason for the club's trophy-less 2001-02 season.
After a promising start in his second season, particularly in Europe, Veron found himself sidelined by injury as United overhauled Arsenal to reclaim their English Premiership title.
Bureau Report
Juventus contacted Manchester United with an inquiry about Veron's availability in April and, according to Italian reports, have prepared a 20-million-euro bid for the midfielder.
The Turin giants could also attempt to tempt United into a sale by offering either Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids or French defender Lilian Thuram as part of a swap deal.
United manager Alex Ferguson is long-standing admirer of both players and Juve have reason to sell. David will be free agent next summer and able to leave for nothing while Thuram has reportedly fallen out with Juventus coach Marcelo Lippi.
Pini Zihavi, an agent who was involved in United's 28-million pound signing of Veron from Lazio in 2001, confirmed Juventus's interest.
"They have been interested in him a long time," he told reporters. His name was brought up (in talks between the clubs) towards the end of the season."
It remains to be seen if Ferguson will be prepared to offload Veron and effectively admit that he overpaid for a player who has, in the eyes of most United fans, been a huge disappointment in his two seasons at Old Trafford.
His presence in the United midfield was seen as a key reason for the club's trophy-less 2001-02 season.
After a promising start in his second season, particularly in Europe, Veron found himself sidelined by injury as United overhauled Arsenal to reclaim their English Premiership title.
Bureau Report