Fiorentina's Toldo heading for Spain in record deal

Posted: Saturday May 26, 2001 11:56 AM
           
FLORENCE, Italy (AP) -- Fiorentina goalkeeper Francesco Toldo will be sold to F.C. Barcelona of the Spanish league for 60 billion lire (US$26 million), Italy's leading sports daily reported Saturday. 

Toldo, a 29-year-old Italian national team standout, will earn eight billion lire (US$3.5 million) annually for the next five years, La Gazzetta dello Sport said. 

If these terms are sealed, Toldo would be the highest paid goalkeeper in soccer, surpassing France's Fabien Barthez of Manchester United. 

Toldo has been seeking a trade from the Florence club for much of the past year, citing a desire to cash in on his standout performance in last year's European Championship and to play for one of the world's premier clubs. 

Toldo, rumored to be on AS Roma's wish list, would become the third Italian player in the top Spanish league. Amedeo Carboni plays for Champions League runner-up Valencia and defender Marco Lanna suits up for Real Zaragoza.