According to reports in France, Milan have joined Juventus and Liverpool in the race to sign outstanding Auxerre prospect Philippe Mexes. The Rossoneri see him as the perfect partner for Alessandro Nesta when the great Paolo Maldini finally retires. Both Juve and Milan have also been linked with Jaap Stam who looks ever more likely to leave Lazio.
There have been a number of reports that Stam has sold his house already and is looking for another in Northern Italy.
I've seen that note about Stam in many places also, seems he's headed for Milan, Inter, Juve or now Feyenoord has gotten involved... Most of the rumors involve Lazio getting a player and some cash...
Sorry to get a little off topic but am I the only one thinking its nonsense to ask for a player plus cash deal regarding Lazio? I mean, they're almost broken, Stankovic, Lopez and Stam have offers from almost every big club in Europe, shouldnt be wise to use all the money they could make?
Your absolutely right, except the problem is the transfer market has imploded. Teams simply aren't shelling out massive amounts of money anymore for players. Every offer for Stam is (rumored at least) to include a player and cash. Sadly Lazio is way too far into debt to solve the problem with a few player sales, a new owner/savior is the only real hope...
Exactly. It will take a lot of work over the summer to ensure that Lazio doesn't go belly up like Fiorentina did. I don't see Stam ending up in Milan. They have Roque Junior and Laursen on the bench. I think both of them are more than capable of stepping in for billy and Maldini. Plus, I suspect Maldini will be around next year to play some games. Given that, it would be good to bring in another defender soon. I'd prefer van Buyten or Francious Modesto [Cagliari] or Rafael Marquez [Monaco]. Mexes is still pretty young.
Maybe not exactly....Lazio has gotten 20 players to accept a almost 50% reduction in wages and a new owner is expected to be in place in a month or so...and a spot in the Champions League looks likely... Stam will still go, perhaps it will be Inter looking to overhaul things in the summer... Marquez is a good player, someone will do real well adding him..
The Milan Partnership Of The Future? I remeber in the World 11 vs Real Madrid game il Gran Capitano Maldini and Marquez were at Defence and held Madrid scoreless untill the second half when they were subbed for the other defenders so that Madrid could tie the match..
Reports are that Barca have struck a deal with Chivu so I don't see them buying Marquez. As for Milan, Laursen is most likely gone and Roque Junior is questionable. They will need to bring in someone as backup for Maldini/Nesta so they will be looking for someone. But it won't be a big name. Galliani said he will follow Real's lead and only buy one huge name a year from now on. Fabricio Coloccini might come back from Atletico to fill this role.
I believe they have an option to buy him at the end of the season. But it appears the asking price is too much for them and he will be sent back to Milan. Albertini and Jose Mari both could come back as well because it appears Atletico don't want to extend thier stay.