ETO'O ALL'ANZHI, HERE'S THE OFFICIAL.
GASPERINI CALLS EVERYONE TO HEADQUARTERS: "I WANT REINFORCEMENTS"
BRANCA, A WEEK TO MAKE INTER GREAT.
The final word came yesterday afternoon at 18.30, when Samuel Eto'o officially became a player of Anzhi. This morning the Cameroonian (at 9.00) will be in the Roman clinic of Villa Stuart, where he will undergo medical tests. But this is no longer Inter's business. In fact, the Nerazzurri, after having collected 25 million from the Russians, must urgently move on the market. Yesterday morning, the Nerazzurri headquarters in Corso Vittorio Emanuele hosted a three-way summit: technical director Marco Branca, sporting director Piero Ausilio and coach Gian Piero Gasperini were present. The latter expressed his disappointment at the current situation: Eto'o left (last year he scored 37 goals), nobody has arrived in attack yet. Above all, it is the lack of arrivals on the wing that worries the new Nerazzurri coach, who, with his 3 – 4 – 3 formation, has an absolute need for men from the range with certain characteristics. Lavezzi, Zarate, Palacio, these are (in strict order of preference) the objectives advocated by Gasperini. The names of Tevez and Forlan are not in the coach's dreams, the former for economic reasons (Manchester City has so far asked for 50 million, should they open to a loan deal things would change), the latter for tactical reasons (it's a first tip, like Milito and Pazzini). However, the Uruguayan is cheap (5 million) and Moratti likes him very much; therefore it is probable that he will arrive in Milan despite Gasperini not doting on him. Getting to Lavezzi is complicated, but certainly not impossible. The Argentine has a release clause of 31 million, a figure that Inter will never offer. Moratti's proposal has remained the same as 10 days ago: 14 million plus Pandev. The Zarate speech is in progress (we talk about it further down in the Lazio chapter), it is certain that relations between Moratti and Lotito will not make things easier (remember the Pandev case in January 2010?). There is no news on Palacio compared to what we have been telling you for two months: everything is blocked due to the "fault" of Pandev's refusal to move to Liguria. With Preziosi, however, the dialogues are frequent, also because Gasperini would immediately like a reinforcement in midfield, and Kucka would be the right man, even if Genoa (which in any case are willing to sell him in co-ownership deal) would like to keep him for another year under the Lanterna. In short, 7 days of fire lie ahead for Branca and Ausilio. Because at the end of the market there is still a week left, which is decisive for understanding what the goals of Gasperini-branded Inter might be.
MILAN, EVERYTHING DONE FOR Aquilani: ALREADY ON THE FIELD IN CAGLIARI?
WORKING IN SILENCE TO BRING KAKA' BACK TO ROSSONERO.
AFTER FLAMINI'S INJURY, CESENA ASKED TO SPEAK.
Alberto Aquilani is in the finishing straight. Barring last-minute complications (totally unforeseen at the moment), Liverpool will send the long-awaited fax to via Turati today, in which the English will give the go-ahead for the transfer of the Roman midfielder. Milan will therefore have the long-awaited left midfielder, moreover at very favorable economic conditions: a loan with an obligation to buy (which would come into effect automatically in the event of 25 appearances) set at 7 million, the player a three-year contract at 2 million per season (premiums excluded ). Liverpool, which at the beginning of the summer were asking for 14 million for Aquilani (right Marotta?), ended up accepting Milan's offer, fearing to find a player at home that coach Dalglish didn't like. In short, everyone was happy and content, even Aquilani, despite having to give up almost 5 million (his contract in Liverpool provided for 3,5 million per season until 2014). However, the Roman midfielder will be able to play continuously (even if the duel with Seedorf promises to be close), which, in the year leading up to the European Championship, was an absolute priority for him.
But the Milan market doesn't end there, at least in Galliani's intentions. The dream is to bring Ricardo Kakà back to the Rossoneri, even if the operation appears very difficult. However, Berlusconi wants to try, that's why Galliani will try to convince Florentino Perez until the end that, rather than keep a player worth 10 million a season on the bench, it is better to give him to Milan. It is unlikely that the Real Madrid president will take the bait, even if the Brazilian is no longer part of Mourinho's plans. Galliani will try until August 31st, but at the moment, the chances that the deal can materialize are few.
But Milan must also look around on the midfield front. Apart from Aquilani, Flamini's injury (yet to be defined, but forecasts are pessimistic) will force the Rossoneri to buy a new player. Galliani tested the ground with Cesena for Parolo, a player already in the sights of Genoa, Lazio and Cagliari. For the moment, the answer has been discouraging: the people of Romagna want 8 million. But we can bet that Galliani won't give up so easily.
ROME, OSVALDO AND KJAER ARRIVE.
DIBENEDETTO RAISE THE BUDGET: RENEWAL OF DE ROSSI IN SIGHT?
SABATINI DEALS CASEMIRO, FULHAM IS ON BORRIELLO.
Roma's official signings for Pablo Osvaldo and Simon Kjaer are expected today, or at the latest tomorrow. In fact, in Spain, they say that Espanyol is already working to replace the Italian-Argentine striker (there is also talk of Floro Flores). Even for the Danish defender there are no more problems, given that Wolfsburg have accepted the formula of the onerous loan (2 million) with a buyout set at 8 million. Agreement also found with Kjaer, who will sign a four-year contract at 1,5 million per season.
But the positive news doesn't end there. Waiting to know if the field will give some satisfaction (tonight at the Olimpico Roma will try to comeback against the Slovaks of Slovan Bratislava, starting from 0 – 1 in the first leg), Thomas DiBenedetto has given the green light to the extra budget, which in a nutshell, is nothing but new money for the market. And so Sabatini will be able to raise the offer to San Paolo for Casemiro, the young Brazilian midfielder that Luis Enrique likes so much. Until a few days ago, Inter seemed to have the advantage over the player, but Roma seem more interested than the Nerazzurri.
The meeting between DiBenedetto and Sabatini also served to take stock of the De Rossi situation. The American patron wants to confirm the midfielder at all costs, which is why he has given the go-ahead to a higher offer (five-year of 5 million per season) that can convince him to renew his contract (expiring in 2012).
The Borriello case remains to be resolved. After depreciating him by making him play in the Europa League, now Roma cannot sell him without losing the 10 million invested just two months ago. Yesterday's news, however, is an interest from Fulham, the club of Egyptian millionaire Mohamed Al - Fayed, who would like to bring him to England. However, it remains to be seen whether Borriello could really be interested in the Fulham hypothesis.
JUVENTUS, MARTINEZ REFUSES CESENA!
FOR GIACCHERINI, MAROTTA OFFERS PASQUATO OR GIANDONATO.
ZENIT WANT PEPE AND BONUCCI, STORARI AT CHELSEA THE KEY FOR ALEX.
Jorge Martinez doesn't want to go to Cesena. This is what has been emerging in the last few hours, when Juve contacted him to probe his availability. The question fans are asking is simple: is the Giaccarini deal now in danger of falling apart? The answer is no, the operation will take place, the modalities will simply change. One of Pasquato and Giandonato will go to Cesena, while the left winger will be co-owned.
But yesterday's most sensational news is certainly the one regarding Chelsea's interest in Marco Storari. An operation that, if it materialises, would bring Alex a lot closer to Juventus. The Brazilian central defender has a valuation of 7 million, which, with the inclusion of the black and white number 12, would become much less. Marotta, however, has to work a lot on the transfer front, which would also unlock the entry market. Having complicated the situation of Iaquinta (who being injured has no requests), there is hope in Wolfsburg for Amauri (who at the moment, however, doesn't seem very interested in a transfer to Germany). But it is above all the offers from Zenit St. Petersburg for Bonucci and Pepe that arouse the attention of the Juventus managers. Spalletti wants both of them with him, and if the right offers arrive (for now there is still distance between the parties) Juve certainly wouldn't say no.
ZARATE – LAZIO, NOW IT'S BREAKING!
REJA CALLS HIM FOR THE EUROPEAN LEAGUE, BUT HE DOESN'T SHOW UP.
LOTITO'S DILEMMA: LOWER THE PRICE OR HOLD OUT?
It is a complete break between Lazio and Mauro Zarate. Yesterday Reja, during the pre-Rabotnicki press conference (which the blue-and-whites will face tonight) made the Argentine's mutiny public: “You know exactly how last week went. I compiled the list and he pulled himself out, saw the summons and didn't answer, walking away. I noticed it in the evening at dinner when we were here and when I asked where Mauro was, Rocchi told me he wasn't there”. In short, a situation that has really reached a point of no return. It remains to be understood how Lotito will be able to solve it: at the moment the Lazio president is asking for 20 million, and is willing to go down to 18, no more. If some club were to show up with that amount (perhaps Inter) then Zarate will be sold, otherwise, the risk of living a season apart at home (i.e. away from the squad) is very, very high. A situation which, however, would upset the balance of the environment (at the first defeat the fans would invoke the use of Zarate) and devalue the player from an economic point of view. That's why everyone hopes to find a solution. As soon as possible.
