Market rumblings

By: salvatore | August 18th, 2008

Depending on what you read, the possible Lazio return of Crespo is either impossible, or in the process of being worked out. Reports yesterday claimed that the Biancoceleste were balking at the 33-year-old striker’s loan fee, yet today, Lotito is apparently meeting with Moratti. Clearly, we have to take things with a giant grain of salt, and see what develops (or what doesn’t, as it were).

Not everyone in Lazio land is convinced Crespo is the right way to go, but it seems the reason this won’t go away (aside from Rocchi’s injury) is Makinwa’s continued inability to convince people he’s ready for the chance to play a bigger role in the team.

How underwhelming has he been? Well, there have been continued rumours floating around that he won’t even be on the team in two weeks time. The latest have him on his way to Chievo, possibly as a part of an exchange for Bogdani, but potentially not. If this were to happen, the need for another reliable target man becomes more necessary, especially since it seems Delio wants to play Zarate out wide. The team from Verona is reportedly also interested in the services of Massimo Mutarelli. So likely, there will be meeting to discuss all of this shortly.

In the meantime, the Stendardo saga has taken a new twist today, with reports that the team has brokered a deal with Milan that would see the defender head north in exchange for Christian Brocchi. Personally, I was hoping Stendardo could have been dangled to land the team a promising, offensive minded young player, but if you really think about it, Brocchi might be useful. With Mutarelli’s acrimonious departure impending, and Mudingayi now in Bologna, there is no one left really who can play that physical, aggressive ball-winning role in the midfield.

The bruising Brocchi then, while certainly not exciting, could at least be useful with his “Gattuso-light” style of play. The only stumbling block right now appears to be his salary, but there should be some resolution to this sooner rather than later.

Stay tuned…