Paris, July 19:

Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio have quickly discovered the consequences of relegation from Serie A as Europe’s top clubs set about plundering some of the world’s best players on the cheap.

The list of top stars affected by last Friday’s match-fixing punishments reads like a Who’s-Who of European football and includes eight of members of Italy and France’s World Cup final teams.

It is Juventus who represent the richest pickings for the vultures circling over Italy. Only Alessandro Del Piero has declared his willingness to stay. The rest of his team-mates are forming a queue to escape.

Barcelona are ready to make bids for Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta. Real Madrid are in the hunt as well and the club’s former Juventus manager Fabio Capello has spoken Fabio Cannavaro about a transfer.

Cannavaro made it clear he is happy to switch to the Bernabeu and Capello is also keen on Zambrotta and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The only hope Juventus have of retaining a stake in their stars is to loan them out and then bring them back when the club returns to Serie A.

Liverpool and French champions Lyon are keen to take David Trezeguet on loan, while Inter Milan and Manchester United would happily sign Patrick Vieira for a season or two.

Juve’s Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Nedved won’t have much trouble finding new homes either. Nedved’s agent claims he has already had offers from four clubs, including Tottenham.

Fiorentina striker Luca Toni has been linked with Inter Milan and goalkeeper Sebastien Frey and Martin Ujfalusi also seem certain to be snapped up.

Lazio’s demotion could cost the Rome club the services of Italian international defender Massimo Oddo, Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami and Tommaso Rocchi.