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The Gossip Column - Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Juve want Lahm as part of Zanetti deal
Following Bayern Munich's interest in bringing Cristiano Zanetti to the Allianz Arena, Juventus are looking to strike a deal which will see highly rated right-back Philipp Lahm move the other way.
Verdetto - A cheeky attempt to enter negotiations
This seems nothing more than a clever attempt to enter into negotiations for Lahm where a normal approach for the player's availability would be dismissed. A big money move is rumoured for the full-back who starred for Germany at the last World Cup, however the player has said he is happy at Bayern. It is unlikely that the player will leave for Juventus, especially as part of, or an extension to the Zanetti deal. Right now it has no hard evidence, but that is unlikely to scupper Zanetti's proposed transfer to Munich.
Lazio seek Vennegoor deal
Claudio Lotito, president of Lazio has hinted that the club are keen on signing Celtic's Dutch goalscorer Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who has impressed at Celtic Park since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in 2006.
Verdetto - One to watch closely
Lotito has said that whilst the club are admirers of the striker a deal can only happen if the two clubs can agree on a valuation for him. This is likely to prove a stumbling block as Celtic will be unwilling to sell under his value. It would certainly be a good capture for the Rome side; Vennegoor of Hesselink has always scored wherever he has played and averages nearly a goal every two games since joining PSV in 2001. With Celtic unlikely sellers this deal will depend on how much Lotito is willing to spend and the deal could break down with the club not willing to spend more than 10-12m pounds and although he only joined the Scottish club for 3.4m Celtic are likely to hold out for 15m-18m pounds. Keep an eye on this transfer story though, a stubborn stance from the Scottish champions could unsettle the player and leave him seeking a new challenge and a move to one of the elite leagues of Europe.
Parma's Budan Seeks Palmero Reunion
After an impressive season for Serie A Strugglers Parma Igor Budan has stated his desire to return to former club Palermo following Parma's relegation to Serie B. Scoring 20 goals last season Budan wants to return to his former club and prove himself to fans and management after spending his time with the club either out on loan or playing with the team that co-owns him, Atalanta.
Verdetto - Can't see the logic behind this one
It does seem a little strange that Budan would want to a move back to Palermo having not actually played a single game for the club in his last period there. However, his 20 goals at Parma are likely to stir some interest from Serie A clubs and this may well be a come and get me plea with the striker prepared to to forget the past and start a fresh again at the Stadio Renzo Barbera. The player would certainly be available on the cheap following Parma's relegation to Serie B and Budan is now waiting to see if the two clubs can agree on a fee for 50% of his league registration.
Boca star in possible Lazio move
Speculation of a move to Europe for Boca Juniors striker Rodrigo Palacio is nothing new, with many top European clubs keeping tabs on the Argentine's transfer situation. Lazio are the latest club to try and lure the player over to Europe with a 10m bid on the table
Verdetto - Nou Camp new home for Palacio
It is rumoured that the striker has snubbed the chance of a move to Lazio in the hope that Spanish giants Barcelona will come calling as they have been interested in the player for some time and now that a transfer to a European side appears to be more than just speculation, they may be forced to play their hand. Barcelona have held talks with Boca over the availability of the player and should negotiations progress then it is difficult to see Palacio moving elsewhere.
Genoa chase Cerci
Roma's highly rated young striker Alessio Cerci is being targeted by Genoa. Cerci has just returned to Roma after a very impressive loan spell with Serie B side Pisa Calcio.
Verdetto - Loan deal on the cards
A permanent deal may not be taking place, as the two sides will not be able to agree on a sensible transfer fee for the striker. However a loan move to gain top flight experience could well take place as the striker could do with at least another season learning the game before becoming a regular starter at the Stadio Olimpico.
Jose demands Quaresma to be made priority signing
Newly appointed Inter manager Jose Mourinho has held talks with the Inter board regarding this summer's transfers and whilst he was encouraged with the progress of negotiations for Roma winger Amatino Mancini and Genoa's Abdoulay Konko, he demanded that the club pursue a deal for Porto ace Ricardo Quaresma who he knows from his time as Porto Manager.
Verdetto - Possible but just speculation right now
Whilst the player has been criticised in the past for his somewhat lazy and selfish approach to the game, Mourinho may well get the best out of the player and "The Special One's" appointment at the San Siro will certainly attract Quaresma. However Porto president Pinto de Costa has slapped a price tag of 40m euros on the exciting winger to warn off interest from the top clubs in Europe. Philippe Scolari's appointment at Chelsea looks certain to add to this transfer rumour and Mourinho is likely to be locked into a bidding war with Scoalri to secure the players signature. Until after the Euro's though we must remember though that these two recent appointments are going to be linked with player after player with the majority being little more than pure speculation.
Almeria make ambitious move for Solari
Santiago Solari is set to leave the San Siro when his current contract at the Italian champions expires. Whilst Argentine club River Plate have been entered into early negotiations to bring him back to El Monumental, Almeria have also moved to try and convince the player of a return to spain.
Verdetto - Sadly too ambitious
At 31 Solari is in the latter stages of his playing career, however now is not necessarily the time to start winding down and returning to his homeland, he certainly has at least couple more seasons in top flight European football. This is why Almeria are perhaps being overly ambitious in the approach. In a few years Solari would probably jump at the chance to return to River Plate but right now he is unlikely to be short of offers in the big European leagues
AC Milan keeper set to return to Madrid
Christian Abbiati had the option to join Palermo but now looks to likely rejoin Atletico Madrid by extending his loan move for another season.
Verdetto - Done deal
With Abbiati wanting first team football it would appear that his career at the San Siro has already ended, Milan appear happy to let the player get the regular football he needs by allowing him to go back out on loan to Madrid for another season but after that a permanent move or being released from the club may sadly be on the cards
French full back to Fiorentina
Olympic Lyonnais fullback Anthony Reveillere is set to join Fiorentina. According to reports in France a deal has been in place for some time, however it will not be completed until Lyon sign a replacement for the departing full back.
Verdetto - Deal to go through after the Euros
The deal is already done and we can expect Lyon to be closely keeping an eye on the current European Championships on the lookout for a new full-back. So expect the deal to be officially announced a few days after the final. Fiorentina managed to fight off interest from La Liga for the players signature, a sign that Italian football is back on it's way up to the top.
Bari set for talks with Inter for young winger
Inter Milan winger Luca Siligardi is set to move away on-loan. Serie B side Bari have made contact with Inter about taking the youngster on-loan for next season.
Verdetto - Likely
If a loan move does materialise it will be a good bit of business for both clubs.
Options open for Bosman Defender
Roma defender Matteo Ferrari has emerged as a summer transfer target for Newcastle and a return to the Premier League, having previously been on loan at Everton in 2006. Newcastle manger Kevin Keegan is desperate to strengthen his team's leaky defence and despite being handed a large transfer kitty this summer, sees the man available on a bosman move as his first choice. However, interest is also coming out of Milan with Ancelotti said to be interested into entering into talks with Ferrari.
Verdetto - Ferrari's lack of English football experience may put him off
Having only played 8 games in the 2005/2006 season for Everton his spell in England was the highlight of his career, it took him a while to get to grips with the game before a hamstring injury disrupted his time with Merseyside club. He has always looked happier in Italy which could see him favour a move to the San Siro with AC Milan and the lure of a title challenging club and European football, which Newcastle United are someway off from achieving.