Transfers and rumours 08 09 section 3

Boca President confirms negotiatian's are ongoing for Battaglia and that he has chosen us over the other interested club's, and his wife wants Rome.

Seems like our long search for Ledesma's replacement is finally coming to an end.

Good player though.

Source = Tuttomercatoweb

wich is he price (battaglia)-easyer to now do we gonna take him,or is just a rummor

rockybalboa83 wrote:

http://goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2009/07/15/1383554/report-genoa-sign-rodrigo-palacio-from-boca-juniors

Signed for only 3m...

seriously...not happy with this...and if i was a Genoa fan id be wrapped that my team's front line consists of Crespo and Palacio..

What a bargain deal..

What a campaign for that club. Sold their assets in Milito and Motta and re-invested quickly. Cheep fee for a quality player.

What is lotito waiting for? Anyone know...?

Reading Ballardini's comments, I think he would rather we sell than buy. He keeps talking about the importance of trimming the squad. Lotito may be tight with his wallet but he loves bargain hunting. On reflection, it seems he was trying to do that before Davide came in. Perhaps our new coach has more faith in this squad than the majority of us.

Let's not forget, he has held talks with the players who want to leave. I reckon in his head, if he can keep this squad together, we can go places.

Battaglia would be perfect to replace ledesma, but i have a feeling ledesma might not leave after all, or who knows?

rockybalboa83 wrote:

http://goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2009/07/15/1383554/report-genoa-sign-rodrigo-palacio-from-boca-juniors

Signed for only 3m...

seriously...not happy with this...and if i was a Genoa fan id be wrapped that my team's front line consists of Crespo and Palacio..

What a bargain deal..

I'm confused about one thing. Last year we were linked to Palacio before signing up Zarate. The rumors regarding Palacios switch to Lazio said a fee of 20 million was needed! How did Genoa get him for only 3?! And why didn't we try to sign him up? Did we like reach our limit of foreign players (can someone explain the regulations regarding that as well). Thanks.

aDDi wrote:

rockybalboa83 wrote:

http://goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2009/07/15/1383554/report-genoa-sign-rodrigo-palacio-from-boca-juniors

Signed for only 3m...

seriously...not happy with this...and if i was a Genoa fan id be wrapped that my team's front line consists of Crespo and Palacio..

What a bargain deal..

I'm confused about one thing. Last year we were linked to Palacio before signing up Zarate. The rumors regarding Palacios switch to Lazio said a fee of 20 million was needed! How did Genoa get him for only 3?! And why didn't we try to sign him up? Did we like reach our limit of foreign players (can someone explain the regulations regarding that as well). Thanks.

I can fill you in there..

Palacio's fee was due to probably good form and also demand for him...he didnt have the greatest of seasons last season...However, the main reason is because Boca are in financial crisis...And Palacio is in the last year of his contract...so an offer of 3m was probably deemed fair value for Boca, and they need to get something for him..doesnt have anything to do with reaching limit for foreigners..

As to why we didn't try to sign him up? My friend that is the question I am posing to everyone...to have rocchi,zarate,palacio and potentially cruz..getting rid of makinwa and inzaghi...that front line has to be up there with the best in the league..

Instead, Genoa, who has to be considered a huge rival for Lazio, has become stronger with even losing Milito and Motta...Crespo and Palacio up front..Will score plenty of goals..and I am sure Genoa are not done yet...

Sure Genoa look like a great team, but I'm a little unsure as to how well they bounce back after selling their 2 biggest players. Sure they have replaced them with quality but who knows how well these players will adapt to the club. I think Palermo and Napoli pose a bigger threat at the moment. If we keep Ledesma and Pandev, who's to say what we can't achieve.....

I am bemused though why we didn't make a move for Palacio at that price espescially since we made such an effort last summer to get him. He could easily have slotted in Ballardini's system, we could have looked at something like

------------------ROCCHI-------------------

ZARATE--------PALACIO---------FOGGIA

This would have been too good to be true, not to mention Cruz and maybe even Pandev staying. With 3 competitions we need that kind of depth.

Now that Veron has achieved his dream and won the Coppa Libertadores with Estudiantes, maybe he will have the desire to return here and finish his career at Lazio...? Just an idea but it seems more likely that something could happen now.

I echo everyones words about Palacio being an ideal player to have signed. The latest appears to be that the Genoa presidents' son is still concluding the deal at Boca and nothing is signed yet, if we really wanted him maybe it wouldn't be too late to jump in with more money. There are situations where deals are thought to be done and yet another club comes in at the last minute and gets the player. Worrying thing is that they also want Battaglia and seem to have started trying for a move whilst dealing with Boca. Ledesma seems as if he may stay and sign a new contract with a buy out clause, if no-one wants him now then that would be the best solution.

Let me add a bit, Palacio holds spanish passport, so signing him wouldn't add our own non EU player quota. He was 18 million euros last season, he hestitated to join us, then he got injured (the funny thing is, the same thing happened to Angeleri, who was supposed to join us, then hestitated and now nursing for at least 5 months, that's what I called Lotito's curse)

Back to Palacio, he is in his last year of his contract so Boca. Boca has to sell, Genoa acted quickly, they got him for 3 million euro. I think it's pretty much done deal, it is official in tuttomercatoweb.com, so good on them. Pretty good deal IMO, I just wish we got him (not Genoa)

-------Rocchi/Cruz----------

Palacio -- Zarate -- Foggia

I'm delighted we didn't sign Palacio.

He is a second striker/winger that in Argentina, averages a goal every 2/3 games. In that position already, we have Zarate, Pandev, Foggia, Del Nero, Eliseu, Makinwa, perhaps even Mauri, Meghni or Matuzalem if we're stuck. That's 9 players who can fill the role Palacio would take. It would be a nonsensical transfer to pay 3 million for a guy I think is vastly overrated anyway and give him a large salary to boot.

The only player type we do lack is a big targetman. We have two already in Kozak and Mendicino but as of now, they are not good enough but perhaps in two or three years they will be. So it makes sense to bring in a great player who is coming to the end of his career.

That's why for me, Cruz is the ideal signing. And after him, I don't expect to see anyone else unless we sell our big names because I sense a desperation in Ballardini to cut the squad.

Cruz would be a good addition, and with the right service he will score a lot of goals. I still want to see a centre back arrive. A times last season the central defence was shambolic.

Goran Pandev was one of Lazio's leading performers last season, although he was overshadowed by Argentine sensation Mauro Zarate.

The Bulgarian (???) is one of several players who have since asked for a transfer, but none have yet attracted any firm interest.

"[Cristian] Ledesma and [Goran] Pandev have asked to leave, but I have not put them up for sale," Lazio president Claudio Lotito explained in an interview with Teleradiostereo.

"If a team comes along with an offer that is thought to be acceptable, Lazio will allow negotiations to proceed.

"I have not received an official offer for Pandev, neither from Zenit nor from Napoli," the president countered, before reassuring the Biancocelesti fans.

"If one of [Lorenzo] De Silvestri, Ledesma or Pandev leaves, they will be replaced with a better player in that position."

Lazio have already splashed out this summer on securing Mauro Zarate on a permanent deal as well as signing 25-year-old winger Eliseu from Malaga.

Head coach Davide Ballardini, however, is concerned about the size of the first team squad and is hoping to remove some fringe players from the group.

An article from goal.com. Even if they are ignorant enough to get Pandev's nationality wrong, I suspect the info is correct.

I don't believe we'll bring in anybody new unless we sell. Perhaps a targetman but that would be it I do believe.

Bulgarians and Macedonians are like brothers ..

Quote :

Boca Juniors Midfielder Battaglia Unlikely To Sign For Genoa - Agent

After signing striker Rodrigo Palacio from Boca Juniors, it seemed as if Genoa would also snag another Boca man, midfielder Sebastian Battaglia.

However, the player's agent Martin Guastadisegno does not believe the Grifoni are an option for the 28-year-old.

"I don't think he will go to Genoa," the agent told Radio Radio, "while aside from Lazio's interest, we also have to consider Parma's. We have spoken with [Igli] Tare and [Claudio] Lotito, Lazio want him just like many other teams. He would be happy to go and play in Italy."

Guastadisegno denied that the player's wife will have an influence on his choice, as according to some reports she wants to move to Rome.

"His wife has not chosen Rome, and he is very annoyed that this story is going around," he continued. "We don't know where it came from. He has no preference, and will go to the club that wants him most."

Battaglia started playing for Boca Juniors in 1998, but spent one season in Europe with Villarreal, in the 2004-05 season.

So it seems that he won't go to Genoa. Let's hope he comes in Rome.

lets hope but nobody will wait us for eternity

Updates from Lazioinrete.blogspot.com

Arsenal interested in Pandev - no concrete offer (ive heard that before...) and the russians are not interested in Pandev anymore and have turned their attentions to Rosina, but he wants to stay in italy..

Lazio still hoping for Lugano - Uruguyan most likely will stay with Fenerbache however..wage demands are a huge stumbling block for us..

Stefano Mauri - Close to extending to 2014..which would most likely end his career at Lazio...

Cruz - Roma chasing him..We have heard this aswell...Spalletti looking for a centre forward he can rely on..

Meghni - He wants to convince Ballardini that this is his year and that he can have a consistant year...without injuries..he wants to play the trequartista role but willing to adapt..He believes lazio are on par with Genoa and Napoli's strength..

Battaglia - Battaglia could arrive whether Ledesma leaves or not...He is thinking of having both at the club..the cost is apparently 6m..

Ledesma - Looks as though Ledesma could stay with us and earn 1.4m a season with a clause of 15m (from 2010) until 2014...But in any case Lotito has his eye on Battaglia as a lazio player...


So in short...nothing to report!!!

If they sell Adebayor they could easily turn to Pandev. I don't think that they will offer 19 million but....

Great to see that Ledesma is reconsidering his future at Lazio and perhaps actually having one here - hope he signs on. Would also love to have Battaglia here and am really hopeful this transfer goes through. I also have faith in Meghni, and as long as he remains injury-free, then I have no doubts in him succeeding here. He could have a very good season if all goes well. Fingers crossed.

Apparently Arsenal are after Maraoune Chamakh of Bordeaux and he would cost them around 8 million - which is a much cheaper alternative compared to Goran. From reports I have read over the last season or so, Wenger seems to be genuinely interested in Pandev and if they sell Adebayor to Manchester City for the proposed 25 million, then who knows - the Gunners might come knocking on Lotito's door!

Bobbi wrote:

Great to see that Ledesma is reconsidering his future at Lazio and perhaps actually having one here - hope he signs on. Would also love to have Battaglia here and am really hopeful this transfer goes through. I also have faith in Meghni, and as long as he remains injury-free, then I have no doubts in him succeeding here. He could have a very good season if all goes well. Fingers crossed.

Apparently Arsenal are after Maraoune Chamakh of Bordeaux and he would cost them around 8 million - which is a much cheaper alternative compared to Goran. From reports I have read over the last season or so, Wenger seems to be genuinely interested in Pandev and if they sell Adebayor to Manchester City for the proposed 25 million, then who knows - the Gunners might come knocking on Lotito's door!

Could not agree more...

I think the best scenario is that Ledesma stays..if he signs on and has a clause of 15m either way its best scenario for us. He has already promised that he would not use article 17..ledesma doesn't seem to have animosity towards the club...i think if Ledesma leaves straight away it will put so much pressure on whoever arrives to fill that void to produce...I would rather the certainty of ledesma for another season or so and still get Battaglia so he aclimatises with the squad..

I say we still need to get Battaglia anyway..we need diversity in the midfield..

it is looking like Adebayor would go to Man City..although doesn't make sense! Robinho,Tevez,Santa Cruz and Adebayor? too many options I think with all big name strikers..but I digress, If Adebayor leaves definitely will open the door for another striker..whether or not it is Pandev I do not know..

We don´t need Cruz (what a waste of money that would be!!) and we don´t need Palacio. What we do need are CENTRAL DEFENDERS. Don´t get me wrong. I´m sure Palacio could be a hit and Cruz will always score but we NEED central defenders.

I have heard that the "chat" between Ballardini and Ledesma has been verý fruitful, and that Ballardini has explained that Ledesma could play an important role for the team.

This could actually lead to Ledesma agreeing on a new deal, as long as Lotito doesnt propose a ridiculous sum of money. In my eyes, Ledesma is a top player during his ups, and if Ballardini sees potential in him, this could mean a further boost for Ledesma, who probably thought Rossi's departure would result in less room for Ledesma in the starting XI. He has expressed a desire to leave and face new tasks, but he has never expressed this in a desperate manner (like Pandev..). In my opinion Ledesma could improve and get the confidence needed to tae the next step under Ballardini, and actually develop to a world class playmaker...

Ledesma staying would solve a major problem for us, and would make our mercato a lot easier. Once again, in my eyes, Ledesma has been the mpst important player for our game the last seasons, and him staying would mean a lot.

Palacio signig for 3 mil is a massive deal for Genoa. 3 mil is nothing, and Palacio has the potential. For that sum, we would have bought a player that would make our bench a lot more competetive, but we wil not move for any attacking players until Pandev have decided what to do and where to go (or stay he also has had a chat with Ballarini on the future) and Makinwa is out of the squad. Inzaghi I dont even count as a squad member...

What is a bit annoying, and highly irritating, is that we are not linked to any quality central defenders. Once again, I am ware we have plenty of players for those positions, and I guess we will not see anything before we know what wil happen to the ones we have. Maybe Ballardini is considering the ones we have as good enough..?

Cash wrote:

I have heard that the "chat" between Ballardini and Ledesma has been verý fruitful, and that Ballardini has explained that Ledesma could play an important role for the team.

This could actually lead to Ledesma agreeing on a new deal, as long as Lotito doesnt propose a ridiculous sum of money. In my eyes, Ledesma is a top player during his ups, and if Ballardini sees potential in him, this could mean a further boost for Ledesma, who probably thought Rossi's departure would result in less room for Ledesma in the starting XI. He has expressed a desire to leave and face new tasks, but he has never expressed this in a desperate manner (like Pandev..). In my opinion Ledesma could improve and get the confidence needed to tae the next step under Ballardini, and actually develop to a world class playmaker...

Ledesma staying would solve a major problem for us, and would make our mercato a lot easier. Once again, in my eyes, Ledesma has been the mpst important player for our game the last seasons, and him staying would mean a lot.

Palacio signig for 3 mil is a massive deal for Genoa. 3 mil is nothing, and Palacio has the potential. For that sum, we would have bought a player that would make our bench a lot more competetive, but we wil not move for any attacking players until Pandev have decided what to do and where to go (or stay he also has had a chat with Ballarini on the future) and Makinwa is out of the squad. Inzaghi I dont even count as a squad member...

What is a bit annoying, and highly irritating, is that we are not linked to any quality central defenders. Once again, I am ware we have plenty of players for those positions, and I guess we will not see anything before we know what wil happen to the ones we have. Maybe Ballardini is considering the ones we have as good enough..?

I agree with you on the Palacio..but im sure everyone knows about my feelings about that deal..given we chased him so heavily at around 15m plus, and he was available for 3m...and we are in talks with Cruz who is 34yrs old? enough said..

But on the central defenders, if Ballardini has had a chat with Ledesma as i reported earlier, obviously Ballardini is pinpointed players that he wants..

So it could be argued that Ballardini may see Diakite for example as a starter? Radu is a central defender? or rozenhal as good enough? to be honest they diakite and radu have great potential...So its really up to the coaching staff...Both Radu and Diakite need to step up...and perhaps they will be given this opportunity..and if so then we don't need to target too much..but it would be nice to bring in at least one strong CB..

I see our defenders as good enough, so I don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility that Ballardini does too.

Considering what he did with Kjaer at Palermo, Radu and Diakite' should get a lot of time at the back although I sense Radu may become a utility player rather than a regular.

In my opinion and I know many will heavily disagree, Cribari and Stendardo would be one of the best back lines in Serie A. Maybe not as a partnership, but either one with Rozehnal is a solid partnership. What we lacked last season was defensive organisation and a fit midfielder who could help out.

centrocampista wrote:

We don´t need Cruz (what a waste of money that would be!!) and we don´t need Palacio. What we do need are CENTRAL DEFENDERS. Don´t get me wrong. I´m sure Palacio could be a hit and Cruz will always score but we NEED central defenders.

Whilst we don't need cruz, he would offer depth as a target man and far more effectively than Inzaghi or Makinwa could. I agree, we do need one solid centre back in my view. At times last season the defending was tragic. Stendardo has returned, but im not sure that is enough. So long as Siviglia is not a starter, at least we will have progressed somewhat.