THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[maro]

I can't shake the feeling that there's something profoundly emblematic in the moves Milan and Roma have made - or are looking to make - this summer. I asked earlier in the summer who people thought would prove to be a better signing, Riise or Zambrotta. And I think we may have another one on our hands if the Mutu move does go through in the end: which deal will prove the better, Mutu or Ronaldinho? In each case, there are very similar arguments to be made on both sides. At their best, there's no comparison between Ronnie and Zambro and the other two and in each case the two Milan buys are much more attractive propositions (on the basis of personality and nationality, say). On the other hand, have Milan spent big on romance and on reputation, on players who are past their best. Or have they brought in two genuinely world-class players? Have we made much wiser, more pragmatic moves? Or have we plumped simply for second-tier players, confirming our status, as ever, comfortably below the true high table of European football. Only the season ahead will really tell, but I do think it's quite an interesting question to ponder. I wonder what tk thinks.

[stefano]

I'm sitting on the plane right now and am happy to hear we are actually trying for Mutu. That said, I refuse to get my hopes up. I've expressed my views on Mutu before. He can be a real difference maker and improves the squad by 20 mil. Let's see what happens.

Thanks for the cheer. I'm off.

[stefano]

[red]

[Jamoldo]

[Carlo Romano]

Andrew, as usual with the common sense accuracy...I've got everything crossed that's crossable for this deal to happen!

[Bagg10]

the papers are reporting that Mutu to Roma would require you to sell Aquilani... What do you guys think?

[maro]

[Bagg10]

[maro]

[Bagg10]

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

[maro]

[RomaShield27]

[tonykart]

[maro]

Indeed, tk. It appears the only potential obstacle now would be the Delle Valle themselves. If they don't come in at the last and scupper the deal entirely then he could be in giallorosso by day's end or sometime tomorrow. Still, I gather Toni's move to Inter was at the same point this time two years ago and they decided at the last to undo all of their underlings' work in that case too. We shall see.

[tonykart]

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

Lomba, that may well be the case, but it's not the only account of those dealings that I've heard. Some say, I think, that Corvino was ready to accept Inter's offer (had, in fact, essentially accepted the offer) but then the Delle Valle came in and scuppered the deal at the last minute. I know what you're saying - that there wasn't, as it were, a public declaration that a bid had been tabled and was being seriously considered. In practice, though, I think the situation was pretty similar. I suspect the real difference is that Corvino has cause to expect this deal to be rubber-stamped. Last time round he may have had less cause. Here, for instance, is something from www.romanews.eu:
L'ultimo scoglio resta il parere dei Della Valle che già in passato bloccarono un'operazione simile: vedi Toni per il quale i due imprenditori rifiutarono 25 milioni dall'Inter. Oggi a Firenze dovrebbe arrivare Andrea Della Valle (e forse in serata anche Diego) che potrebbe dare l'ok all'affare: o, altresì, chiudere le porte viola e costringere Mutu a restare alla Fiorentina.
I know I, at least, will never know the murky details of these transactions, but there must still be a chance that the owners will pull the plug on the deal at the last.