[Fillipo Simone]

Many fresh rumors appear on goal.com -

Stéphane Mbia from Rennes (Milan and Fiorentina interested)

Lucas Neill from West Ham (appearently cited near Milan's camp; could be a Kalac connection)

Paolo Castellini from Parma (also Gazzeta and Tuttomercato)
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Also, rumors about us singning Pennant on a free transfer next year is mentioned again

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Tuttomercatoweb is telling Moris Carrozieri is our top objective (Calciomercato saying he'll stay in Palermo)

[whoarethepatriot...]

Supposedly Galliani and Ghiradi (Parma President) met about a loan deal of Paolo Castellini for six months.

Think of Castellini as a superior version of Favalli in his peak

[dst]

we'll get a Parma player on loan? anyway... if he's good it's all that matters

[Fillipo Simone]

Well he's 29 years old, played for Cremonese, Torino, Brescia and Parma so far...I'm not sure what to say more.

[Zed.D]

Isn't there any better option? what happened to Zapata?

[Jack Sparrow]

Out injured half the time. We need someone who can partner Nesta on the field, not off it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Jack Sparrow]

Agent: Mattioni Is A Milan Player, Not A Juventus One

Milan could hijack Juve's plans to sign the defender as his agent pushes him towards the San Siro...

Juventus could lose the hunt for Gremio star Felipe Mattioni and Milan are waiting to profit after the player's agent Mino Raiola revealed he would be better off with the Rossoneri.

Reports suggest the Brazilian was in Milan on Thursday negotiating with clubs and, although Juve are in the running, it's the San Siro giants who may have first choice over the player.

"It's true that Juventus are after him, but I would say Milan too," Mino Raiola told Il Corriere Dello Sport. "Mattioni is a first class player and he is ready for the big European stage.

"I think he is a Milan player. I would define him as such."

It is believed Juventus are pushing to sign Mattioni, who is Brazilian-born but holds an Italian passport. Milan have already signed Thiago Silva from Fluminense, who will arrive at the club later this month.

Sounds plausible. We did talk about some guy who can play on the left. But I had thought he was a RB. I was totally not expecting this though. Any info on him?

This might just be his agent trying to up the prize. Raiola is the fellow who manages Nedved and Zlatan I think. I do hope this kid isn't a b@st@rd as well, no matter how gifted!

This post has been edited by Jack Sparrow: Jan 9 2009, 12:39 PM

[m1ke]

We did talk about some guy who can play on the left.

I think he's a right back (push Zambro to the left?)

[Jack Sparrow]

Is this kid as good? And is Zambro truly better than Antonini/Janku on the left (experience not withstanding). And thirdly with Beckham in, do we need Janku in mid anymore?

In addition there is this...

Ex-Galaxy chief Lalas: Becks may stay at Milan

Former LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas said he would not be surprised if David Beckham were not to return to America after his loan with AC Milan.

The England midfielder's stint with the Italian club ends in March, when the Major League Soccer season resumes but Lalas, who signed Beckham on a five-year contract with the Galaxy, told Radio Five Live: "If I was still at the Galaxy, yes, I'd fear it. He has to do what he feels is appropriate for his career."

The 33-year-old joined Milan in a bid to prove his fitness and regain his England place after being told by England manager Fabio Capello that inactivity during the MLS off-season would result in his likely omission from the next squad.

However, Lalas admitted that he may take the chance to stay with the Italian side.

"I think he wants to do well with the Galaxy but you only have one career," said Lalas. "The experience he's going to have at Milan will benefit him individually, how much it benefits the Galaxy and the people that are ultimately paying the majority of his wages remains to be seen.

"He's back in his comfort zone at AC Milan, playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a tremendous amount of talent around him, with incredible money out there on the field so it must be, in a weird way for him, a relief to get out there."

Lalas, who played for Padova in Serie A, insisted LA Galaxy and the MLS would survive the post-Beckham era.

"Any manager, to a certain extent, wants David Beckham on their team but I also think David Beckham is not bigger than the Galaxy, nor is he bigger than Major League Soccer," said Lalas.

"The Galaxy will go on and do tremendous things, as will Major League Soccer, well beyond David Beckham's time. The Galaxy will survive without David Beckham, whether that is three years from now or three months from now. Either way, they will survive.

"I hope he comes back rejuvenated, but I also hope it doesn't catch up with him in the middle of the season if he does come back to MLS, that's a danger and that's something I'd be wary of."

So it would seem adidas is putting pressure, realising that Brand Beckham is not a spent force after all. In any case, it was adidas who was putting up the money for Becks' American sojourn. It seem Becks has a clause which means he can walk away at the end of next season. My suspicion is Milan will convince LA to accept a price for purchase and cut losses, so they can form a team for the new season without Becks.

Of course I could be completely off.

This post has been edited by Jack Sparrow: Jan 9 2009, 12:55 PM

[Zed.D]

All these Brazilian links are making me nervous! isn't there really any European defender left for us to take?

Thiago was voted the best player in the Brazilian league so we signed him; fair enough. but I don't think going after every Brazilian who people rate is a good idea.

I think we should go for Sergio Ramos for the RB and push Zambro to the left. Ramos may not be the best defender on planet but when he's playing in the right he's nearly perfect. can both attack and help the defense a good deal.

And don't tell me it's impossible. firstly it is Madrid. we know how stupid their management act sometimes. secondly, we're replacing likes of Maldini/Nesta/etc. we should go for the best out there.

[Jack Sparrow]

You actually believe Milan will be able to land Ramos?? He's being hyped up as Madrid's next torch bearer. The guy to succeed Raul. I think he's the closest they have to our Kaka.

Their management acts stupid, but to players who are not at their best, which unfortunately doesn't include Ramos. Robinho was sold coz he was blindingly inconsistent in the second half of the season, and City offered a STUPID amount of money.

Neither will hold true in Milan's case.

Besides Mattioni has an Italian passport, and theoretically could play for Italy.

Of course, I'm not saying we should get him, just that he'll be 1000 times easier than Ramos ESPECIALLY in January.

[m1ke]

Ramos to Milan has been touted for some time - but none of the rumours ever seem to hold any weight. It would be great if there was some truth to it though. I rate him highly.

[Tennie]

The Mexes to Milan rumors are still rumbling along, but it's being discussed as more of a June transfer than a January transfer.

+1 to what zd said. (Well, most of it. I'm not that big a fan of Ramos but he IS a proven player in Europe).

[Jack Sparrow]

Me too. But to land him, we'd have to do what Madrid did in the Kaka, CR case. I don't think Ramos is

1. As loyal as Kaka.
2. Their Prez and Juande have the same kind of steel as SAF.

But all the same, I'd feel very guilty if Milan resorted to those tactics.

[Tennie]

The dirtyrottenscousers are apparently ready to offer Pennant a contract renewal.