Yeah, About That Transfer — Never Mind (x2)

By: Martha | January 10th, 2008

Well done, sir. With Dejan Stankovic returning to full training earlier this week, and rehab and fitness work for old men Luis Figo and Patrick Vieira apparently going well back Milan while the team were away partying in Dubai, Inter are reportedly reevaluating their move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Maniche. Obviously, if they don’t need midfield bodies, Inter don’t want to pay to bring in one to hold the bench down, and there’s also a hilarious clause in the deal on the table that mandates Inter must buy Maniche, whether they want him or not, if they win the Scudetto, which is understandably giving the Nerazzuri brass pause. (I can’t decide if this is a clever move by Atletico, since they want to dump Maniche and Inter have a seven point lead, or if it’s a sign of the Spanish side’s naiveté about Serie A, since everyone knows there’s a least a 50% of a catastrophic Inter collapse.)

While I understand the objection to the Must Buy! clause, but Inter’s apparent confidence in the ability of the recovering trio to stay fit makes me very nervous. Stankovic was on the verge of surgery less than a month ago and has been bothered by a nagging heel problem since August — who’s to say it’s not going to come back, and force him out again? And you know I love me some Figo, but the man isn’t young, and just had surgery for the first time in his career. I’ve got my fingers crossed that he’ll come back as good as he was when he Nedved broke him, but there’s probably a good possibility it’ll at least take him a while to get his form back, even if the fitness is there. Vieira?! Don’t even get me started. Point being, even if it’s not Maniche, Inter could use a midfielder.

Also frantically backtracking today is Sven Goran Erkisson. You know when you send an email late at night, then are horrified when you re-read in the cold light of day? That’s what Eriksson’s doing with yesterday’s slobbering love for Mancini, and he’s not only denying saying it, but also telling the press that he’s “never spoken about that player with anyone.” Mmmhmm. Right, Sven.

Sven can deny his passion all he wants, but Mancini’s departure is looking more and more likely. According to Il Romanista (the source of those Eriksson quotes, so take it however you like) the only question that remains is whether the winger will leave now or in June. Mancini’s agent, who also represents That Milan Kid Whose Name I’m Sick of Typing, will be in Italy this weekend to talk to Milan, but it’s possible he’ll drop in at Roma HQ to try to sort things out there, as well, so look for more rumors — possibly featuring a naked Sven Goran Eriksson — emerging early next week.