Something Strange is Going on With That Kid from Jersey

By: Martha | July 20th, 2007

Rossi n DDR During a press conference yesterday from rainy Korea, Sir Alex Ferguson essentially told the media that he’s willing to let Giuseppe Rossi leave the club if the Carlos Tevez deal goes though. In a rare sign of sensitivity, Sir Alex essentially admitted that the logjam at striker for Man U — which apparently isn’t quite finished yet, as the club have an additional, Milan-style secret target in mind — would make it virtually impossible for Rossi and Alan Smith to get a game. Thought no action is likely to come immediately — “We can make decisions when we like,” said Mr. Self-Important — the fact that Ferguson specifically mentioned receiving offers for Rossi strongly suggests the Azzurrini striker will no longer be a Red Devil once the season begins.

Meanwhile, back in Italy, Parma’s director of sport Gabriele Zamagna was busy announcing his club wasn’t interested in buying any attacking players, Rossi presumably included. Uh … wha? According to Zamagna, the team has a lot of strikers in camp, and they seem content to at least give those players every opportunity to earn themselves regular spots in the team. That said, he didn’t rule out any further signings this summer; instead the implication was that things were set for now and, if after a few weeks a gap is there, then the club will go out and find someone to fill it.

Now, according to the roster on their website, Parma have four strikers — two of whom are teenagers — so you’d think they’re going to need some reinforcement sooner or later; it’s hard to imagine they’re not actively looking right now. So why make this fairly absurd announcement the very day Ferguson opens the door to Rossi’s departure? Is this just Parma being spiteful because Man U reject their earlier bid (thought to be about €10 million), and evilly yanking the one solid offer the English club got for the player the moment they announce he can go? Or is there something more? Perhaps Parma have decided they’re not willing to pay what Man U want, and are saying this now in order to prepare their supporters for the fact that the golden boy isn’t coming back?