The Beauty of Text Messages

I swear I did not receive any text messages. I categorically deny that I am being offered the coaching position at Newcastle. Seriously, who in their right mind would want that job...hmmmm the Swedish-Savant comes to mind, but who knows. The BBC wants to know why I am not interested in this position and have requested a copy of my phone records but the only text messages they will see, are not from the north of England but from my astute contributor, Feyenoord beaming me the latest news from Holland. And here is the quick round-up on today's news:

As we reported on Friday, Jaap Stam has requested to leave AC Milan and just announced he will return to Holland and play for Ajax. He left one mediocre team for another but we wish him the best and pray that we get to see him on Marco Van Basten's world cup team this summer in Germany.

Inter Milan. These guys never stop and have just agreed to sign Rodriguez Aparecido Cesar, aka Cesar, the Brasilian playmaker from Lazio. They have been salivating over this guy for too long and know they have him come this June.

Additional reports out of Italy are saying Sampdoria are willing to sell Aimo Diana, the midfielder to Fiorentina for about €6M. With only a few hours left in winter transfer market, this might not happen by tomorrow but will definitely be on for June. But this is where is gets tricky, they want Valery Bojinov on loan.

So close. Yet so far. Tottenham's attempt to bring Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina to White Hart Lane failed when Fabio Capello, who insisted on bringing the player with him from Roma had a last minute change of heart. I must applaud Martin Jol as he has been one busy dealer in the past few weeks, but we all know who he really wants, but we will not tease him. At least not today.

How about one more deal for Inter Milan. They beat Juventus to signature for the Brasilian aka Maxwell from Ajax. The player in turn will be loaned out to Empoli until the end of the season. Seriously, I cannot keep up with Massimo Moratti and his brain trust.

Again, as we reported last week it is now official with Manchester United trying to get one deal done before time runs out with a £4m bid for AC Milan midfielder Johann Vogel. Good player, but it still wont give you the mid-field presence you need.

Must be fun playing for second, but the rivarly between Manchester United and Liverpool is evolving to a war of economics and stock-piling good talent for the 2006-2007 season. Since Liverpool are likeliest to catch Chelsea in the next two seasons, they have decided to pursue Marseille's Franck Ribery. And we at Azzurri Dreams definately trust when one teams says the player is not for sale. Read between the lines, Marseille need to hold unto this kid until after the World Cup, watching his price go up and up, just Sir Alex's bloodpressure will once he realizes this was another one that got away.

Kily Gonzalez is headed for Real Betis in Spain. Two in for Inter Milan, one out today, must have been a slow day for them. The player and his new team have agreed to terms, now its the teams turn to define their terms.

AC Milan. I would say you need to update your defense, but I am sure you know that already. They are looking to sign the Livorno goalkeeper, Marco Amelia. And as we mentioned previously, they now really want Lyon defender Cris.

Part of me will be sad when the winter market ends tomorrow but I cannot type fast enough to keep our growing readership at Azzurri Dreams well informed. So here is to doing it all over again tomorrow!
Azzurri Dreams