Euro rivals reveal Viana interest

By Matthew Jones
August 31 2002

Newcastle's Champions League group opponents Juventus have admitted they were interested in signing Portuguese wonderkid Hugo Viana.

Newcastle's Champions League group opponents Juventus have admitted they were interested in signing Portuguese wonderkid Hugo Viana.

The former Sporting Lisbon star moved to St James' Park for £8.5m in the summer - a world record transfer fee for a teenager - and Juve president Roberto Bettega has admitted he would have loved to have signed the 19-year-old starlet.

He commented: "In Viana, Bobby Robson has managed to sign a superb young player. We sent many observers to watch him playing for Sporting Lisbon last season.

"The price Sporting wanted was too high for us but he is one of the best young players in Europe. Robson is an expert coach - someone we know very well. It will not be easy to beat Newcastle at all," he added after Thursday's draw paired the two teams in Group E.