Monday News Roundup, Or: Hey, I’m Not Dead!

By: Martha | August 13th, 2007

•After months (and months) of transfer rumors — Because, really, Udinese? Who wants to stay there? — Fabio Quagliarella has signed an extension that will keep him at the club until 2012. Not, mind you, that this means he’ll be in black and white until that date, but at least now whoever tries to buys him between now and then will have to pay through the nose for his services.

•The Italian press are reporting the Cassano-to-Sampdoria deal could be worked out today: It’s understood the deal will be a one-year loan, and that Real have agreed to pay 2/3 of his salary. All that remains to be worked out are secondary issues such as taxes and fees.

•Napoli (or the rumors about them, at least) continue to be consumed by Inter players and, according to the press, and they’re hoping to soothe the concerns of supporters by signing two minor members of the team that shut them out over 45 minutes last week. Specifically, the Azzurri continue to court mercurial striking Alvaro Recoba, and now have added Brazilian winger/defender Cesar to their wish list. Though I’m not sure either will be enough to calm supporters’ jangled nerves, Napoli could certainly do worse. Cesar in particular, though a fairly unknown quality, plays with an eagerness and pace that belies his age (he’s 32), and is the sort of player who could replay a team who gives him a regular spot with surprising production.

•According to the Spanish media, the presidents of Barcelona and Milan have admitted that an agreement for Ronaldinho is impossible this summer. Well thank God for that, at least. Of course, they’re already talking about next summer’s negotiations, so this little realization might not bring us the peace for which we were hoping.

•The grounds at Udinese and Catania have still not passed security checks for the upcoming season. (Which, you know, is understandable. How were they supposed to know they’d have to be safe? Jeez.) If they fail to come up to code by the end of the month, both teams, presumably, will play home games at neutral grounds until the new standards are met.

•Despite the winger’s completely outrageous €40 million price tag, Fiorentina remain consumed with desire [insert "They're not the only ones" and an over-the-top leer here] for Porto’s Ricardo Quarasma, and are apparently planning to throw caution to the wind and make yet another bid for his services. That said, the lack of detail — apart from optimistic words from a “transfer guru” — in the reports makes one wonder just how legit these reports are. It’d be nice to know, for example, exactly how much they’re willing to spend on the kid.

•And, in old home week news, both Rolando Bianchi and Luca Toni scored on their debuts abroad. Does a Serie A heart proud, doesn’t it?