FC Barcelona want Toldo

FC Barcelona want to sign Italy goalkeeper Francesco Toldo and have offered Fiorentina Dutch star Boudewijn Zenden in a swap deal.

While Zenden is a target for Fiorentina the club have been resisting attempts to buy Toldo for the past year. The goalkeeper was the star for Italy as he saved three penalties to put his team through to tonight's Euro 2000 final against France in Rotterdam. A late replacement for injured Gianluigi Buffon for coach Zoff's national team, Toldo has emerged as the top goalkeeper at the tournament and his future with the Florence club remains uncertain.

Barcelona also hold the registration of Portuguese goalkeeper Vitor Baia and could include him in negotiations. The Catalan club sent Baia on loan to FC Porto last year after he rowed with then coach Louis van Gaal.

Barca are hoping to sign Toldo but any deal involving cash would need to be delayed until after the club holds a July 23rd election to find a new president to replace outgoing boss Josep Lluis Nunez.

New Fiorentina coach Fatih Terim is also interested in Barcelona striker Dani Garcia to further complicate what could be lengthy transfer talks between the clubs but Fiorentina do not want to part with Toldo.