Barca Launch (Hopefully) Doomed Bid for Adrian Mutu
By: Martha | June 18th, 2007
It was reported in a couple of places this morning that, having wrapped up the La Liga season, Barcelona immediately turned around and threw themselves into the Italian transfer market.
The target whose name shows up in most reports is Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu, perhaps suggesting (if it’s true) that Barca really do expect to lose either Samuel Eto’o or Ronaldinho this summer after all. Leaving aside for a second the near impossibility of such a deal taking place, the media claims Barca are set to offer €15 million for the striker, a not inconsiderable sum. Or, they may try to take advantage of the alleged Viola interest in midfielder Ludovic Giuly (to whom Tuttosport claims Fiorentina have already offered a contract) and put together some sort of partial-exchange deal.
All of which would sound somewhat plausible, had Mutu not truly come into his own this season, as both a footballer and a leader, and told everyone who would listen of his intentions to end his career in Florence. Additionally, this is the second time he’s found massive success under manager Cesare Prandelli; the odds of giving up on this apparently ideal situation seem slim at best. Fiorentina, for their part, have been looking at Mutu as a replacement for Luca Toni — though he’s very different type of goal-scorer, the club clearly believe the Romanian is ready to lead the team both on and off the field; were they to let him go, a lot of confidence would go out of both the fanbase and the club. So, in sum: If the Viola have an “untouchable” list, the only name on it is probably Mutu’s, €15 million fee or not (she said, fingers firmly crossed).
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Comments
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There are a couple of things going on here from the Viola perspective, I think.
First, with the Semioli negotiations and the fact that we saw Jorgensen playing in the back (and he’s gotten to the point where he is on the down slope), Prandelli believes the team needs a new winger. I guess this is were Guily comes in. I don’t think there is any doubt he would be a great addition and a serious upgrade at that position.
But, the other thing that is going on is that I seriously doubt the Viola want to swap Mutu to get that winger. I realize that they have loads of young talent up front, but while Bojinov, Pazzini, Reginaldo and Lupoli are very promising, what you are going to get out of each of them over the course of a season is a big doubt.
Mutu is to be commended for his growth personally and on the field this year and I agree that he has finally gotten it together. Plus, from the Viola perspective, if he is healthy enough to play more than 30 of the 38 Serie A games next year, he will almost certainly get the team 15-20 goals. With a team that has ambitions as high as the Viola do for next season, I can’t see them wanting to go forward with strictly young, unproven strikers.
Posted from
United States
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I personally don’t care where Mutu plays. But
OMG, PLEASE don’t post any more photos like this one! My heart can’t stand it.(Are there any more where this came from?)
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United States -
I agree TMC - selling Toni leaves little doubt that Adrian will be the cornerstone of the team. Without those bs point deductions, Fiorentina would have had a great season.
Laurie, that image is from a small film Mutu did at the beginning of last season, called “Brokeback Florence.” It was a limited release, though Chrisy Ronaldo is known to have pirated the video on YouTube in a jealous rage towards Figo. Luis-sh has a private autographed copy, allegedly signed “i picked your pocket, but you picked my heart! hugs’n'kisses from your sweetest little gypsy, -Adrian.”
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United States -
Dear Mike:
GET OUT OF MY BRAIN!
Love,
Martha
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Portugal -
tmc, Parma are allegedly after Reginaldo — thoughts? I’m way too attached to him to have much perspective on losing him and how bad it might actually be.
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Portugal -
I hadn’t seen that Martha. I like Reginaldo a lot, and I think he’s performed very well in the opportunities he’s been given. I can see why a club like Parma would be interested - a mid-table team that doesn’t have a lot of money to spend but could guarantee him a starting spot - this could be a good move for them.
I don’t want to see Fiorentina make too many changes to the team, with largely the same squad they have played well enough to qualify for the champions league 2 years running, and if they do it next year, they will actually be allowed to compete.
Seeing Fiorentina linked with different wingers has made me wonder a bit what their intentions are with Reginaldo. Plus, Santana is a highly regarded player who should be healthy for next season as well. I would like to see them hold on to Reginaldo (he’s 23), and add one more outside midfielder and one more defender for depth.
Whether these additions are Semioli and Barzagli, or Guily and another defender is up in the air obviously. I just think that they should keep the same core that has been successful, add young players and depth so they can handle the increase in competitive matches and keep things rolling for the future. I see Reginaldo as a part of that.
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United States -
Thanks for the input tmc, I’m pleased you value him, too — I have a lot more confidence in your talent-judging than mine. I concur with everything you’re saying about keeping him around, but it does make sense that, if the team can increase its pool of good wing players, he might be expendable. And as much as it pains me to admit it, if he’s an impatient sort who would take 25-30 starts/season over Champions League football, Parma’d look awfully good.
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Portugal
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