26/06/2001

MILAN MUST RAISE CASH FOR INZAGHI BID

Filippo Inzaghi came through a medical on Tuesday as his move from AC Milan to Juventus neared completion. But Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani admitted the deal hinged on whether coach Fatih Terim could raise the agreed fee of £22 million by selling players. 

"That is the one problem," he said. "We have to find the money to pay for Inzaghi. We wanted to do his medical now so he could enjoy a holiday. When he comes back, we will have sorted this out."

Milan are expected to sell strikers Oliver Bierhoff and Gianni Comandini to fund the deal. Atalanta are reported to be ready with a £9 million bid for Comandini, a fine Italian prospect, while Brescia are poised to land German target man Bierhoff.

Andriy Shevchenko, Javi Moreno and Jose Mari will provide Inzaghi with competition up front.

The deal comes as no surprise as Galliani said last week that Silvio Berlusconi had given him permission to make an offer for Inzaghi. Onefootball.com also revealed in May that Milan were Inzaghi's "first choice" if he left Juve.
The Turin giants had wanted £25 million for the forward, who has scored 83 goals for them, but were beaten down in negotiations. 

[onefootball.com]