In a move which will delight Lazio's bank manager and terrify Serie A defences, Internazionale claimed last night that they had signed Christian Vieri for a world record £28 million to partner Ronaldo in attack.
The deal would take spending on Vieri in the past two years to £57 million and make him responsible for three of the 10 most expensive transfers in the world.
It would also give Inter a £45 million strike-force which will be for Italian eyes only. No amount of money can bring them European football after a dismal finish of eighth.
That is apparently of little concern to Vieri, who tasted European success with Lazio last month when he scored in their Cup Winners' Cup final victory over Real Mallorca at Villa Park.
Vieri's arrival at San Siro will see the Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone move to Lazio in part-exchange. Meanwhile, the English FA has called on Emmanuel Petit to substantiate his claims that footballers are taking drugs to cope with the demands of the modern game.
"If he has evidence we would like to hear it," the FA said after the Arsenal midfielder insisted the sport was heading for a cycling-style drugs problem.
Bradford City are talking to Gunnar Halle about a possible transfer from Leeds United and Nikos Dabizas has been linked with a £1 million move to the Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem. Meanwhile Jim Smith's assistant Ray Harford has left Derby County by mutual consent.
