Winter Mercato

Originally Posted by kris

Cryuff don't have anything to do with Barcelonas player transfers, he isn't even working for them on a advice basis so I don't see the connection here or this being something bad on him. Personally I have not really seen Sneijder enough to judge him properly. But the times I have seen him he have played a simple and effective game. He seems to like to play one-touch and short passes, something that would work well for someone moving to us. He seems to have a better shot than the current Seedorf too.

I don't know whether Cruyff is getting paid by barca but he still has a lot of influence in the club higher ranks and often advices them what player or coach to get.
While he may not be a technical director or anything like that, it was him who brought Rijkaard at barca and now seems to be on his way to repaet the trick with MvB too.

Originally Posted by kris

Cryuff don't have anything to do with Barcelonas player transfers, he isn't even working for them on a advice basis so I don't see the connection here or this being something bad on him. Personally I have not really seen Sneijder enough to judge him properly. But the times I have seen him he have played a simple and effective game. He seems to like to play one-touch and short passes, something that would work well for someone moving to us. He seems to have a better shot than the current Seedorf too.

I don't see how you can't see the connection. I never said Cryuff had any working relation with Barcelona, what i wrote was what Cryuff said in an interview, that he thinks Sneijder is good enough for a bigger club but can't see him at Barcelona. Which to me seems to suggest that Cryuff doesn't think he can make it with Barcelona.

You're right about his passing game, he's good at short and long passes and usually has a good delivery and firm shot on him. However, sometimes he's too inconsistent and can go missing from games, not that this is a trait only he has, many players suffer from it. I just don't think he's anything more than a decent squad player.

Originally Posted by zlatanov

I don't think so ... it wasn't the case with Ronie and I doubt it will be the case with a 33-34 yo Cannavaro either.
I would have expected something like what you said if Cannavaro was performing well but he is not and he's seen as Capello's protege by his teammates too. With capello gone, I think Real M management will get rid of Canna as soo as possible until they could still get some money back.
Given his age and this last disappointing season, I would think that 4-6 mil or so would be enough to capture him.

Hey don't shoot the messenger, i only wrote what was being reported

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

Hey don't shoot the messenger, i only wrote what was being reported

too late bro ... messenger's been already shot and there is no turning back

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

Sorry Tony but the Buffon/Gilardino swap seems to be gathering a bit of momentum now, i think it could well happen and i think most Milan fans would be willing to sacrifice Gilardino for Buffon. I would only do this IF we got the right replacements for the striker, one of which would NOT be Ronaldinho. It's an interesting avenue to go down.

The ever reliable Tuttosport ( ) suggest a return to Juve for Cannavaro for 9 million (euros i'm guessing). I wonder if his return would be welcomed, i'm not so sure it would be. He would surely be seen as a less than honourable player for leaving the sinking ship that was Juve and then returning as if nothing had happened once they've got promotion. I think for 9 million and with all that on his mind, we could move in for him and give him a great alternative.

So for something like 20 million we could end up with Buffon, Cannavaro, Suazo & Pizzarro. Not too shabby

Most Milan fans would sacrifice Gila for Buffon, but no Juve fan would sacrifice Buffon for Gila. The thing is - noone's asking us.
With last years Juve menagement no way such swap could have happened, with current one - everything can happen.
Although i still see these reports as pure speculations. Journalists know about Buffon saying he might have left Juve for Milan if there wasn't for the scandal, they know Gila was a Juve fan, they see Gila underporforming and losing his place to Ronnie - they have a story.
If Buffon rejects the next contract offer from Juve, then i guess such swap is possibile but it's still very unlikely. Juve needs money atm. Secco says they have 35 M Euro for transfers. If Juve gives Buffon just like that in direct swap with Gila, then Juve gets nothing because Trez can't bring the money Buffon can . And finally, Juve's losing Trez+Buffon for Gila+money which will be the worst thing they can do.
But i repeat - without a transfer guru like Moggi, this stupidity may happen !

As for Cannavaro, you will be suprised if you read the Cannavaro thread in Juventuz.com. Apart for 2-3 members, the others see him as a God, as a lost son or smthg and they'd sell their mothers to get Canna back.
Personally, i don't care much. Would welcomed him if he comes back, but if Juve really has 35 M Euro only, then everything above 4-5 M for a 34 years old is way too much.

I think Juve right now could use some short term solutions - older but quality players that is as they would have to build almost an entirely new squad and 35 mil won't get them anywhere because with this money they could buy a good number of players but they will be young(-er) and less established players, who always run the risk to not live up to the expectations. By getting players like canna or Zambrotta back, that risk is virtually eliminated.

This being said, Juve is rumoured to be after Dida who would supposedly take Buffon's place if he leaves. If not Dida, I would expect Juve to ask for Abbiati too as part of a possible Gila-Buffon swap.
So, in the end by giving Trez + Buffon away, Juve will end up with Gila (a much younger striker similar to Trez) + Dida/Abbiati (either of them would a very good and suitable replacement for Buffon) + money (anywhere between 15-20 mil, which would come in very handy in attarcting several quality players when added to that 35 mil Juve already has).

Come to think of it, it's not gonna be too bad a deal for Juve either ... in fact, I think that, sentiments regarding Buffon's and Trez's status at Juve aside, it would be the smart thing to do with regard to rebuilding a new quality squad from scratch.

Originally Posted by Zlatanov

too late bro ... messenger's been already shot and there is no turning back

Fine, then i'll come back as a ghost and haunt you


Tony, you'll find most fans don't get asked about transfers, someone nearly always loses out. If it had been the other way around with Gilardino in good form and Buffon a little dodgy, it would be us saying no. I think you're right in that it is just speculation right now and also right that with the current Juve board you can't rule anything out.

I am surprised about the view of Cannavaro though, i thought he might have been viewed with slightly less rose tinted glasses.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

Fine, then i'll come back as a ghost and haunt you

with the amount of garlick I ate last night, I doubt you will stick around for that long

I wouldn't care ... i'm a ghost not a vampire

http://www.calciomercato.com/index.php?c=23&a=34476

it looks like Zebina is still keen on staying at Juve and those rumors about him being a Milan player were just ... rumours.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

I wouldn't care ... i'm a ghost not a vampire

it won't make a dif ... it was a lot of garlick, you know

I think Zebina is a milan fan at heart...his desire to remain loyal to Juve proves this
Forza Zebidonna the juventino....may he play like the other old ladies in his sexy zebra outfit and retire a juventino

I will just hold my breath then ... ghosts don't need to breathe you know

If the Zebina rumours are just that i will be very happy!

Bharusso is again being linked with Arsenal and now Tottenham, though it might be just the same contact turned into a new story. So i guess we didn't sign him after all, though Ch4 say he might be available for £1.25 million ... for that price you can't really go wrong, i hope we sign him.

regarding barusso, I don;t think that even if we had indeed signed him, Milan or his agent would reveal that publically before the summer, so I guess we would have to wait.
Also, I think the rumours concerning Barusso were not about Milan having signed him but having obtained an option on him, so we may very well be first in line without him already being a mIlan player.