MANNINGER SEALS VIOLA MOVE
REPORTS in Italy have confirmed that Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has finalised his expected switch to Italian side Fiorentina.
The £3 million-rated Austrian will arrive at the Artemio Franchi in a loan move, with a view to a permanent deal, after falling behind England internationals David Seaman and Richard Wright in the contest to wear The Gunners' number one jersey next term.
Fiorentina view the 23-year-old as a suitable replacement for recently departed Francesco Toldo, who joined Serie A rivals Internazionale in a £16.4 million deal.
Manninger enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame at Arsenal helping the North London side to win a domestic double in 1998, however injuries and dips in form prompted coach Arsene Wenger to buy Wright for £5 million and allow the giant custodian to leave.
