Transfer Talk : Diego

Juve plot Diego assault
Friday 1 February, 2008

Reports in Italy suggest that Juventus are preparing a huge bid for Werder Bremen’s Diego this summer and will begin talks in March.

The Bianconeri added Mali international during the January transfer window, but they are set to add more reinforcements in the summer to try and launch a Scudetto challenge next term.

Brazilian midfielder Diego is in high demand and is attracting interest from several of Europe’s top clubs.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, Juve are ready to avoid a summer bidding war for the 22-year-old wizard by agreeing a provisional deal in March that could amount to around £20m.

The Old Lady are expected to offer Diego a big pay rise that would take his annual salary to just over £2.5m per season.

Diego is under contract at the Weserstadion until 2010 and while he could free himself using FIFA’s Article 17 in June 2009, Juve are keen to have him on board for 2008-09.

It is now widely believed that the Cadetti champions will withdraw their interest in Hamburg star Rafael Van Der Vaart in order to pursue Diego.

(channel4.com)