After Grosso, Birmingham now want Camoranesi

Birmingham aren't happy with just one Azzurri World Cup winner in the squad. Yesterday they were linked with Fabio Gross, today it is the turn of Mauro Camoranesi. It was always likely that both these players were on their way from Juventus this pre-season as the Bianconeri look to cut the dead wood from their ageing squad.

Full Story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal back in for Marchetti

Arsenal look to be back in the race to sign Federico Marchetti. A serious bid would likely scupper West Hams chances of signing the Cagliari goalkeeper.

Full Story: Footylatest.com

Federico Marchetti offered to West Ham

Italy's World Cup stand in keeper is apparently being offered to West Ham. It is probably more a case of being pursued by West Ham rather than being offered to them but either way, they will need to find a replacement for Robert Green who looks likely to leave this pre-season. The Cagliari goalkeeper has been linked with Juventus, Sampdoria and Arsenal in recent weeks.

Full Story: Daily Mail

Fabio Grosso linked with...Birmingham City

To Italians all over the world Fabio Gross is a footballing hero and always will be. His exploits in winning Italy the World Cup in 2006 will never be forgotten. On top form he was a player to rival the best in the world in his position.

The 2006 World Cup was where he arguably reached his peak form and ever since he has been in constant decline. This decline is somewhat confirmed with Birmingham City being linked with his services. In the press they describe it as an ambitious bid. Personally I'd say it is probably the only level that Grosso can now excel at. He still has something to offer and Birmingham could be the right club to see out his career in the correct positive fashion.

Full Story: Daily Mail

Milan: Dos Santos for Huntelaar

Milan are looking to sign Tottenham's Mexican international Giovanni Dos Santos and are looking to offer Huntelaar as part of the deal.

Full Story: Daily Mail

Giuseppe Rossi offered back to Man Utd?

It is being rumoured than Villareal may have to offer 'Pepito' Rossi back to Manchester Utd as part of the buy back clause that Utd are thought to have written in the initial transfer. Rossi has started pre-season very well and several clubs have shown strong interest, including Inter Milan.

Full story: Daily Star

Marchetti for the big time at Arsenal

Federico Marchetti may finally get his dream move to a 'big' club with Arsenal looking to likely destination. He was strongly linked with Sampdoria and Juventus this pre-season but they opted for cheaper options. Cagliari have apparently turned down a €6m offer from the Gunners but a fee closer to the €9m mark should seal the transfer, baring contractual problems.

Let's not forget. Marchetti was keeping goal in Serie C (Italian third division) only until a few season ago and at one point during this time was actually unemployed. He is however alot better that these facts imply. A move to Arsenal would be a good for him and for Italy, where he is looking the likely International understudy to Gigi Buffon for the foreseeable future.

Good luck Federico.

Sampdoria: Liverpool Ziegler offer to be refused

Liverpool are testing Samp's resolve with a €8m bid for their Swiss fullback Reto Ziegler. In my view they need to keep hold of their best players. If they sell, they'll only be able to afford a inferior replacement. There is quality in this Samp squad and Ziegler is one of the better players.

He was not playing in Sunday nights friendly against Porto in Oporto which Samp lost 2-1. It was a team of youth mixed with experience and they put in a decent display without any of their World Cup 'stars'.

Juventus: Adebayor is the back up plan

Emanuel Adebayor seems to be the pretty desperate last resort by Juve to fill the space in their forward line. Should all else fail Juve will ask Man City for the season long loan of the Togo international. If this turns out to be the case it will be a bit of a downer on what has been a very good transfer campaign for the revitalised Turin club.

Inter: Balotelli merry-go-round continues

Another day, another story involving 'Super Mario'. After everyone thought Man City had the transfer pretty much tied up, Chelsea are said to be desperate to beat their big spending northern rivals to his signature. Chelsea have put Franco Di Santo on the transfer market freeing up a final forward position in the squad. Ancelotti has always praised the talents of Balotelli and Chelsea have not made a big money signing in over a year now. This may be the time that Roman gets his cheque book out.

Sampdoria: A surprise awaits?...

Sergio Gasparin (Samp's new technical director) says we should not rule out a surprise signing for the left wing position this season. It has been relatively quiet this pre-season for Samp so this announcement is surely bound to get the fans excited. Maybe too excited. With Samp qualifying for the Champions League preliminaries it is only natural that the fans should expect some strong signings. All they have gotten so far however are some decent squad players. Goalkeeper Gianluca Curci admittedly being the best signing so far and will likely fill the No.1 position with ease.

So, who is this surprise signing on the left wing? Vargas? Krasic? Balotelli?...not CR9 (Ronaldo) himself surely???

Samp fans, I wouldn't get your hopes up. Shame on Gasparin for messing with our expectations.

Sampdoria: Weiss on the 'short' list

Sampdoria have been pretty quiet this pre-season, especially for a team that has ambitions to get through to the Champions League groups stages. The signings they have made have been, in the most, solid squad players. Goalkeeper Gianluca Curci has being the only real coup. There have been many rumours that show there is ambition at the club if not the money. Players like Ghana's Ayew and Rafael Van der Vaart of Real Madrid have all be named in the press. It is likely that Samp will miss out on any of these players and will have to rely on the very good youth players they have. Players like Poli, Marilungo, Bianco, Koman et al all have the ability if not the experience. Samp have no player over the age of 30 in their squad this pre-season.

A loan move for 20 year old Slovakian winger Vladimir Weiss from Manchester City in on the cards and will be another show of trust in youth by manager Di Carlo. Weiss impressed during the World Cup and could be an important signing as Samp try to make the best out of the resources they have. I only think that if they took a chance and made a couple of big name signings they could really do something special this coming season.

Fiorentina: Insua close to signing

Fiorentina are close to signing up promising Liverpool fullback Emiliano Insua. The Viola have been quiet this pre-season following Prandellis exit but the addition of Insua to the already incoming Gaetano D'Agostino is definitely a positive transfer. The Argentina international will cost them around the €5m mark. Good business for a 21 year old established talent.

Juventus: Forlan is new €35m target

Juve have set their sights on Deigo Forlan. The Uruguay International and World Cup Golden Ball winner is seen as a perfect fit as Juve target the top of Serie A again after a disastrous season. €35m is seen as Athletico Madrids breaking point and with the Bianconeri known to have stated, '...the best player in the world, is the right purchase...' with regard to their interest in the player, it doesn't look far fetched that they might get their man.

Inter: Balotelli better start to learn Manc...

If the Gazzetta Dello Sport is to believed, and it is usually pretty honest, then 'Super Mario' is on his way to Manchester. The fee? Likely to be €35m, too much for Inter to refuse. The club? City or Utd obviously. Whoever offers him the better wage and playing prospects with get his signature. City, with Mancini at the helm, must be the current favourites however the other club is Manchester Utd after all. It really is too close to call.

'Super Mario' in the Premeirship is a very exciting prospect. The new CR9? I think it is very possible, MB9 has a nice ring to it.

Milan: Time to sign Gattuso replacement

Gennaro Gattuso is on his way out of Milan. Likely destination Greece with Olympiakos. Milan need to look hard for a replacement sooner rather than later or they will yet again miss the boat and be forced to sign another 'has been'.

Surprisingly, and to the relief of many a Milan supporter, there is talk that Allegri is looking at a couple of possible youthful options to fill the midfield void left by Gattuso. Lucas Biglia and Andrea Lazzari (pictured) are the two names being touted around the Italian press this morning. The former is a little known Argentinian (with an Italian passport) currently playing for Anderlecht in Holland. The latter, in my opinion, is the better and more exciting option. Known very well to Allegri who coached the player at Cagliari last season, Lazzari is being tipped to gain his first senior Azzurri cap for the coming campaign and could fit in very well in the aged Milan midfield.

Inter: If Balotelli leaves, there is always Kuyt and Rossi

No sooner had I opening my big mouth about the lack of interest in Giuseppe Rossi this pre-season, TMW are now reporting that should 'Super Mario' leave Inter this summer then his replacement could be one of either 'Pepito' Rossi or Dirk Kuyt.

Kuyt was impressive during the World Cup without being spectacular. In fact he is exactly that kind of player and chances are, given his age, he won't change much in the future. Rossi on the other hand has the ability to be a become a spectacular talent. Whilst Kuyt seems to be the number one choice replacement, Inter should really concentrate on getting Rossi. After all if they are going to sell one of the few Italian footballers in their squad, at least replace him with another.

Giuseppe Rossi: Why no takers?

One of the mysteries of Calcio. With every 'big star' and 'average Joe' being linked with a move to Serie A this pre-season, why are there no takers for Pepito Rossi? A footballer scandalously left out of Lippi's group of former heroes come villains this Summer.

Surely a footballer with his current ability and future potential should have clubs knocking down his door. You would think so, yet I have not heard one whisper of a rumour regarding a imminent potential transfer. (Update: Inter seem to be interested in replacing Mario Balotelli with Rossi)

In Italy we have a history of wasting truly great talent by not giving them the chance at a younger age or by overlooking them for overpriced, over rated foreigners. Rossi had a very decent season last year, this despite family tragedy and injury. If he is still at Villareal come August 30th it may be a sign that another one of the brightest talents in Italian football is in danger of going to waste.

Calcio can't let this happen.

Milan: Dzeko wants the San Siro

Somthing tells me Dzeko is barking up the wrong tree. Milan have little chance of competing with the likes of Man City or Juve in the competition to sign the Bosnian striker.

Juventus: Del Neri wants another 4

Gigi Del Neri says he wants four more signings this pre-season. He is after a left sided fullback, a central defender, a winger/wide forward and a striker. As to who they are is still speculation however the fullback position is likely to be one of Kolorov or Elia (see previous post). The centre of defense is pretty much locked for next season with Chiellini-Bonucci. The new signing is likely to be cover for one of these two. The winger/wide forward position is one that Juve have already strengthened this season with Pepe and Martinez however Del Neri is known to be a fan of both Vargas and Krasic and it would not be a surprise to see one of them lining up as a wide man in Turin come August. As for the striker, it's looking more likely that it will be one of either Dzeko or Pazzini.

The new Juve is taking shape and it looks pretty strong.