MUFC
16-07-2006, 08:07 AM
Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to make a major transfer swoop on Italy's scandal-hit Serie B.
Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio are all facing up to life in the second tier of the Italian game following the punishments handed down on Friday in the match-fixing inquiry.
Unless the trio can successfully appeal against the verdicts, which has not only seen them relegated but also deducted 30, 12 and seven points respectively, dozens of top-class players could be available on the open market.
Included among the major names are Luca Toni, Pavel Nedved, Lilian Thuram, David Trezeguet, Patrick Vieira and Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, whom Ferguson was directly asked whether he was interested in buying.
Typically, the Scot sidestepped the question, although he did admit he was a major admirer of the stylish defender.
However, unusually, Ferguson revealed he was taking an intense interest in the situation and was trying to establish who is available - and at what price.
"It is something we are addressing," he said.
"At the moment, we are not exactly clear who is available and what the circumstances are.
"Some clubs might be looking at loan situations, believing they will get straight back into Serie A, so that is a possibility.
"But we also don't know whether players are available for sale or on free transfers."
Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio are all facing up to life in the second tier of the Italian game following the punishments handed down on Friday in the match-fixing inquiry.
Unless the trio can successfully appeal against the verdicts, which has not only seen them relegated but also deducted 30, 12 and seven points respectively, dozens of top-class players could be available on the open market.
Included among the major names are Luca Toni, Pavel Nedved, Lilian Thuram, David Trezeguet, Patrick Vieira and Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, whom Ferguson was directly asked whether he was interested in buying.
Typically, the Scot sidestepped the question, although he did admit he was a major admirer of the stylish defender.
However, unusually, Ferguson revealed he was taking an intense interest in the situation and was trying to establish who is available - and at what price.
"It is something we are addressing," he said.
"At the moment, we are not exactly clear who is available and what the circumstances are.
"Some clubs might be looking at loan situations, believing they will get straight back into Serie A, so that is a possibility.
"But we also don't know whether players are available for sale or on free transfers."