It Seems Inter Are Preparing to Do a Little Shopping

By: Martha | December 7th, 2006

He's pretty, but he's no Figo.You know all the endless talk about how Beckham is headed to the USA next season, what with the rule being named after him and everything? Well, not so fast — clubcall reported yesterday (with actual quotes and everything) that Inter might be preparing a Shocking! Bid! to bring him to Italy over the summer. Apparently Inter are assuming Figo will go (Home? To the US? Is this really a foregone conclusion?), so they’ll need a pretty wide midfielder to take his place. AND, since Real currently take a full 50% of Beckham’s sponsorship earnings (I’m assuming those are the Real-related ones, but either way — why on earth did he sign that contract?!), letting him keep that cash would be a good selling point for ANY club looking to win him over. Plus, Inter allegedly are willing to sweeten the deal to the tune of £110,000-a-week. And to let him play! Well, sometimes anyway. How could he resist that package?

Also, if that doesn’t work out (or even if it does) they’ve apparently got their eye on another lad who plies his trade in Spain — and this one’s actually not old. Not to mention, you know, good at football. According to various reports in the Italian press, Inter are sniffing after none other than Lionel Messi. And if that happens? It’ll be a deal actually deserving to be called a “blockbuster,” because Messi is signed through 2014 at Barca, and it’ll cost £107 million to get him out of that deal. That, my friends, will be a serious investment in a player. The rumor’s been drifting around for a while, but the link seems pretty solid this time — there’s definitely interest, but beyond that it’s impossible to know how likely a deal might be. One good sign: Maradona is totally supportive of a Messi move to Italy, and you know nothing involving an Argentine footballer could possibly go forward without his manic support.





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Comments  

  • Luis |  December 7th, 2006 at 12:33 pm

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    I have also read rumors that they may go after C. Ronaldo.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • Bob |  December 7th, 2006 at 12:36 pm

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    Have heard the same rumors regarding C. Ronaldo. Brings up the interesting question of who you would rather spend gobs of money on, C. Ronaldo or Messi. Certainly Messi has huge potential but at this point C. Ronaldo is the better player, imho.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • blackwhiteandgrey |  December 8th, 2006 at 3:29 am

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    Excuse me while I pause to laugh about the Messi rumour. He’d never leave Barca while Rijkaard is coach. Why would he? And on the other flip side, he’s the last player Barca would sell. Inter would have to pony up every cent of those 150 million euros. Not even Chelsea are insane enough to pay that much for a player.

    My guess is that his dad (and agent) are using Inter’s (or more accurately Moratti’s) eternal desire to land him to get him a renegotiated contract with better wages.

    Posted from Australia Australia

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  • Laurie |  December 8th, 2006 at 10:55 am

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    This is off-topic while all of the rest of you are ponderously discussing transfer rumors, but do you think Beckham waxed his chest hair for this photo? Or maybe he’s had laser hair removal so he’s always photo-shoot ready.

    Posted from United States United States

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