What’s Up With Lucarelli?
By: Martha | June 10th, 2007
Despite Livorno’s ever-so-firm announcement last week that #99 was going to stay around for another season, Cristiano Lucarelli’s name has been popping up in transfer rumors all weekend, and so far he’s not opened his mouth to end the speculation. (For which he probably shouldn’t be attacked — mostly likely he’s on a beach somewhere like 90% of other footballers and is gleefully out of the reach of media.) So, in the absence of denials from either Lucarelli himself or the club — and particularly in light of the nastiness with Livorno fans at the end of the season — the rumors continue unabated.
Today the speculation in Italy centers on a move to Sampdoria, who suddenly find themselves down a striker for the next, oh, 18 months or so. In order to score the international’s services, Samp and new manager Walter Mazzarri repotedly intend to offer a massive £6 million bid while also calling on their ace-in-the-hole: Lucarelli’s brother Alessandro. The younger Lucarelli left Livorno in 2005 after the president pissed him off and went on to have a very productive relationship with Mazzarri during the latter’s years at Reggina; it’s hoped he can persuade his brother to give Samp a shot.
And if the whole Sampdoria thing doesn’t work out, there’s always Benfica, where (according to the Portuguese press, anyway), the high-scoring Italian tops the summer transfer wishlist. If it comes down to money, though, Benfica are screwed: They’re ready to offer only about €5 million, and amount dwarfed by what the suddenly high-rolling Samp seem willing to put on the table.
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Martha, I do admire players who are one team kinda guys, but I truly feel that Lucarelli needs change to bolster his career. He is a quality striker, and so vastly underrated. I think a move who be good for him. But somehow I don’t think he really cares about stardom or career moves. Frustrating…
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
