Post by Salem6 on Jul 16, 2006 16:03:12 GMT
England's top clubs are preparing to join the race to sign players affected by the Italian match-fixing scandal.
Ferguson and Benitez are monitoring the situation
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted it was "something we are addressing".
And Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "There are a lot of good players in these teams and they interest us."
Juventus, Fiorentina and AC Milan are set to be forced to sell many of their top players, with Chelsea and Arsenal also ready to swoop.
Chelsea have been widely tipped to sign Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, while the Gunners are reportedly interested in Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Benitez is thought to be particularly keen on Juve striker David Trezeguet and winger Mauro Camoranesi.
"The players will be a better price now than they would have been three months ago," said the Liverpool boss.
"All the Juventus players are good, including Trezeguet.
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea
Alessandro Nesta (Milan), Fabio Cannavaro, Pavel Nedved, Gianluca Zambrotta (all Juve)
Manchester United
Patrick Vieira, Pavel Nedved (both Juve), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Luca Toni (Fiorentina)
Liverpool
Mauro Camoranesi, David Trezeguet (both Juve)
Arsenal
Gianluca Buffon, Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira, David Trezeguet (all Juve), Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
Tottenham
Lilian Thuram (Juve), Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
"He didn't play much in the World Cup but that is because France have so many good forwards."
Ferguson has been linked with a move for former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.
The United boss 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' new president Giovanni Cobolli Gilli has vowed to try to keep as many of their star names as possible at the club, and insists none will leave at cut-down prices.
"I hope that some of our important players will stay," he said.
"Obviously lots of them will find it hard to stay with us in Serie B with 30 points deducted, but the clubs that are interested will have to pay full rate.
"Should Real Madrid want our players, they will have to pay. That also applies to other teams who may be interested in our players, because we have the duty to defend the club's heritage."
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/5184768.stm