He used to be a beast 3-4 years ago, many clubs wanted him I think. Don't know what's going on with him lately.

Hard-hitting DM with excellent positional sense. Can play as a sweeper in front of the back 4 or even in defence. It's curious he hasn't been plucked by a bigger club by now, but he really stood out in a CL group match at Old Trafford where he absolutely owned Wayne Rooney at his peak.

I thought he'd go onto better things but he stayed at Porto.

You might think we already have De Jong, and we do, but he's the only player like that we have who's worth a damn. Both of them together would give us a strong, reliable, robust midfield with perhaps Poli or Honda in front of them for creative qualities.

Still plays as regularly for Porto as he always did (every match in Porto's spell in the CL), but moves just didn't materialise and he stayed.

Beast is a good word. Absolute monster. But with composure too.

Spalletti sets sights on AC Milan job

Hm, I honestly would take him over anyone else that's been mentioned so far.

Another one we'd baulk at the wages of. He's very similar in terms of his career to Prandelli where Serie A is involved but he's done quite well at Zenit if maybe underperforming a little compared to the budget.

Yeah I'd probably take him.

Pretty sure we were fairly heavily linked with Balzaretti during the last Euros too.

Spalletti would be great, but as Danny said wages might be a problem.

Matri could go on loan to Sampdoria.

Link

Please make it happen!

But loaning him isn't really what we should be going for.

We'll probably still be covering most of his wage, as Samp surely cannot afford what we're paying him and he'll come back in the summer and we'll be back to square one.

I'm sure some mid-table Serie A/EPL side would want him for 5-8m

Are you sure? I don't think they'd take him for more then 5m actually.

How much did Sunderland pay for Giaccherini?

If Samp (or anyone) pays part of Matri's salary and takes him off our hands at the end of the season, I personally will be happy, even more so if we get 5M out of it. Given his salary and performance, I can't see us doing much better anyway. And if this does not happen, we will keep burning cash and (even worse) see him take up a spot in the pitch for more games (so Max and Fester can try to prove it was not a huge mistake to get him).

If Matri joins Sampdoria on loan (+ option to buy), then Petagna will return to Milan. Lazio want to sign both Constant and Matri. Milan have allegedly asked for Lulic (and money) in return.

Zaccardo is reportedly close to joining West Bromwich

Besiktas wants Robinho.

All good news.

Giaccherini had a solid Confed Cup and is (with the help of Prandelli) usually a NT player. That counts more then a Matri.

I like Lulic. If it means getting rid of Constant we must do it!