News Roundup as We Twitch in Anticipation of Pato

By: Martha | January 4th, 2008

Mr. Jimenez •As Roswitha pointed out in the comments, it’s being reported that Inter are preparing to make Luis Jimenez’s move to the club permanent by buying him from Ternana. Given Jimenez’s performances since Mancini was forced to give him a chance this seems pretty much inevitable, but there’s no indication in the press of when it’s going to happen; whenever it does, the price is said to be around €10 million.

•Pato’s contract is legal as of today. Look out, Serie A!

•Fenerbahce are allegedly interested in taking both Sergio Almiron and Tiago off Juve’s hands this month; as long as they’re willing to pay the same price the Old Lady paid for them four months ago both, reportedly, could move. Almiron could even go for more, given the number of teams that supposedly want him.

•Just seconds after a Respected Dutch Agent said Real Madrid benchwarmer Royston Drenthe would be too rich for Roma’s blood, he’s turned up in Spanish press as a loan target for Fiorentina, a club in desperate need of reliable reinforcement at the back.

•Speaking of Roma, RomaChris has an updated rumor post up, while goal.com are adding Bari defender Nicola Belmonte to their list. The 21-year-old rising star is also being chased by Parma, Samp and Palermo, but supposedly Roma have the inside track, even if he doesn’t move until summer.

•In an effort to strengthen their push to survive, Livorno have bought Sidny Feitosa Dos Santos from Brazilian side Nautico, where he’s been on loan from co-owners Salgueiro. He’s 27, a wingback, and goes by the single name of “Sidny,” a fact that, all by itself, pretty much makes him my favorite Livorno player. He also scores a fair number of goals (10 in 89 matches) for a back, so he might just bring some creativity to the Commies. And, even if he doesn’t, he only cost about €25,000 so, even for Livorno, the risk isn’t great.

•Livorno’s fellows strugglers Siena are also buying on the cheap this winter: They’ve brought in Richard Porta from River Plate, supposedly beating both Porto and Villarreal to the punch for the prolific striker. Porta’s only 22 and has been signed for five years; his arrival, combined the presence at the club of young talent like Fernando Forestieri suggests an impressive youth movement at Siena. Now if they can just stay up, they might be in business.