Today’s Roundup of Dubious Transfer News

By: Martha | June 20th, 2007

This, apparently, is sexy to someone. As is being discussed here in the comments, over at the Roma site, and everywhere else on god’s green earth where people love calcio, today is the day on which co-ownership deals self-destruct, so representatives of all Italian clubs are locked in Milan’s Ata Quark Hotel, either working out agreements for their shared players, or writing bids on pieces of paper in an effort to win them via blind auction (RomaChris put together a shockingly understandable explanation of the absurd system, for those of you who understandably find it a bit impenetrable). Though negotiations will have closed by the time this post goes live, you can see what transpired — rumored and real — by checking Tuttomercatto.

That said, here are some highlights, lowlights, and items totally unrelated to auctions or hotels.

•Now that David Suazo has (maybe, possibly) signed with Milan, clubs are once again circling the club’s Alberto “I’m Only Ahead of Oliveira on the Bench and He’s Utterly Useless” Gilardino, depsite the striker’s entirely unconvincing claims that he’s staying in Milan. According to today’s reports, both Juve (whose interest has been discussed in the past) and Fiorentina have him in their sights, with the latter offering a probably doomed £10 million bid for the £17 million-valued striker. Though Channel 4 seems convinced Gila would rather go to Juve, his old Parma coach Cesare Prandelli is on the bench in Florence, and the temptation to re-team with him could possibly factor into a move.

•Livorno’s Marco Amelia, probably the most-wanted keeper in Italy now that Gigi Buffon has resigned with Juve, major may not be headed to Lazio. Though his agent proudly told the papers yesterday that a move to the Rome club was likely in the cards, Lazio personnel reacted to the reports with surprise, something that’s never a good sign in prospective employers. For what it’s worth, Maurizio Zamparini has declared Palermo’s distain for the keeper, news which I’m sure has Amelia near tears.

•According to Tuttosport (pick up that huge grain of salt now), Almiron’s long-rumored move to Juve is just seconds away from completion; La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting Empoli will receive €7-8 million Euros as well as the co-ownership of three youngsters in exchange. In other Turin news, they’re inching towards the acquisition of Lyon’s Portuguese midfielder ~~Thiago~~ Tiago, and the French club itself saying it’s only a matter of time before the deal is official.

•Milan’s young, Italian passport-holding Argentine defender Leandro Grimi will be spending next season on loan with Sporting Lisbon, which will mean piles of experience for the 22-year-old. And, since he arrived in Milan claiming to be the heir to Maldini, he’s got some work ahead of him.

•Now that Zico’s in charge there, Fenerbahce are stockpiling Brazilians like they’re going out of style. First, Roberto Carlos. Next, ~~the world~~ Adriano, albeit only on loan. How about this: Whoever shows up first at the guy’s house in Brazil can have him. Just bring some vodka, that should be enough to lure him into the moving van.

•In order to prove the people at Inter are a bunch of dirty liars, Cagliari are prepared to provide phone record-proof of their desperate attempts to sell David Suazo to the Nerazzurri. Damn. Your move, Massimo.

•I find this one sort of impossible to believe because the size of the bid seems against everything Fiorentina stand for, but it’s being reported they’ve made a €15 million bid for Liverpool’s Mohamed Sissoko, last mentioned on these shores as a possible gift from Claudio Ranieri to his new club.

•Here’s a shocker: Inter are suspected of sketchy accounting practices between 2003 and 2005. It’s an open secret in Italy that everyone overvalues low level players to make their financial situations look less dire; Inter are surely as guilty as anyone else.

•And, finally, just because this will never, ever end, Roma claim there have been no talks with Inter about Cristian Chivu.