Mercato Expectations

By: cathal | December 27th, 2008

Since the mercato is about to reopen, I thought it would be a good idea to compile the rumoured ins and outs into one post and discuss the transfer possibilities. Lazio looks to be very active in the market and club personnel looks certain to change.

All the potential moves are discussed briefly below and I have also given a percentage of how likely I feel a deal is to be done.

The Ins

Blumer Elano – Undoubtedly the most exciting rumour of the year. Blumer may well be on his way out of Manchester after a row with his boss, Mark Hughes and Lazio appears to be his preferred destination. However, I think it is still questionable as to whether his club would like to release him for a fee Lazio can afford and I’m not sure he would except a salary below our transfer cap. 20%

Fabián Rinaudo – To be honest, I haven’t read much about this deal and that would suggest to me that perhaps this is just mere speculation and nothing else. Of course a transfer for him should be attainable but I doubt there is anything to it. 10%

Gael Genevier – No hard evidence for this one but Pisa’s Sporting Director did reveal that he had a meeting with Lotito. Nothing unusual in this as he used to work at Lazio but Pisa were linked to many of our fringe players last summer and there is a chance Genevier is implicated in some kind of swap deal. 30%

Roberto Ayala – I can see why the rumour materialised but nothing has emerged from the original talk. I would conclude that this is a dead end. 5%

Joao Miranda – same as Ayala. 5%

Mario Balotelli – Highly unlikely to happen. The media shut up on this one as soon as Rocchi hit form again. 5%

Nicolás Bertolo – That one died a death a long time ago. 1%

Branislav Ivanovic – Very little talk about it of late but the guy has been linked with half of Italy and considering our good relationship with Chelsea, I would like to think we have a fighting chance should we want him. However, he has had a small spell with the club’s first team and thus he might not be as willing to leave as he once was. 10%

Jonathan Maidana – Completely forgot about this one. 1%

Sebastián Blanco – Talented, would fit well in the system, could make a move somewhere. A slight chance maybe. 5%

Damián Escudero – I doubt he will move anywhere but I can see why we were linked with him and it’s not beyond possible. 5%

Javier Mascherano – At the time this rumour broke, there were factors that made negotiations possible. Those factors have since evaporated. 1%

Manuel Pasqual – This one has never fully collapsed on itself. He may be a left back and that may be a position we have depth in, but should we move Radu into a centre back role then the Fiorentina man becomes a viable option. I wouldn’t rule this one out. 20%

N’Diaye Papa Waigo – Why would he leave the bench at Fiorentina for the bench at Lazio? 1%

Giampaolo Pazzini – Continually linked with him but then, like Ivanovic, half of Italy is. 5%

Matias Delgado – I thought this was a credible rumour at the time and I still feel it could go through. Against the odds though. 15%

António Tonel – This one emerged a long time ago but there is substance to this one. Tonel is defensive target numero uno and if any of our boys at the back make way, the Sporting Portugal man could find himself in Rome. 40%

Giulio Migliaccio – A sunken ship I feel. 1%

Augusto Fernandez – What is the deal (excuse the pun) with this? Does anybody know what that was all about? On or off, meh, who cares. Fuck Knows%

Johan Cabaye – It’s no secret that we have been keeping an eye on him. More than likely viewed as Ledesma’s replacement should Cristian decide to jump ship. Unlikely that a move will happen in January but watch this space. 20%

Hernán Crespo – Forget it. 0% (I hope)

The Outs

Stephen Makinwa – Seems certain to depart this winter, that is if anybody actually wants him. Magnificent underachiever and not even worth a hundredth of that 10million euro fee. Likely destinations? Chievo and PAOK Salonika lead the chase, Bologna might creep into the chase at some point but be sure that he won’t remain in Rome for too long. 80%

Stefano Mauri – His agent has stated publicly that this client could stay or go. I feel he is more likely to stay but if Villareal and Zenit are keen then perhaps Lotito will snaffle the cash. 40%

Tommaso Rocchi – If he has actually returned to form, he will most definitely stay. However, if Rossi feels the legs are going and that he could fetch a nice sum of cash for him, then you never know. 10%

Cristian Ledesma – Love him or hate him, I don’t think January will be his month of departure. I’m fairly sure he will see out the season at least. 10%

Goran Pandev – He stays. Unless of course someone offers megabucks. 5%

Mauro Zarate – I don’t know how anyone can prise him away without facing a lengthy court process. 1%

Emilson Cribari – Numerous reasons why we shouldn’t sell him but you just never know when Lotito is in charge. The transfer talk surrounding him refuses to cease. 30%

Lorenzo De Silvestri – Will be loaned out if anything. 5%

To sum it all up, I feel we will finally see the back of Makinwa in this mercato. I don’t believe we will bring in anyone unless we sell. Therefore, expect Cribari and Mauri to go before Tonel or Elano come in. Also expect the odd surprise, this is Lazio and I would die of shock if I ended up not shocked if that makes any sense at all (I know it doesn’t). Check back in the next few days for a review of the season so far and a review of 2008. Forza Lazio!