Internazionale Main Thread

[zafferano]

[Messinterista]

Cassano to replace Zlatan?

As Sampdoria confirm they want Amantino Mancini, rumours emerge Inter are selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make way for Antonio Cassano!

“Mancini is in pole position on our wish-list,â€

[Messinterista]

Inter To Sign Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano If Ibrahimovic Joins Barcelona – Report

The Nerazzurri will spend the Spanish gold provisioned from the 'Ibra' deal on Cassano...

Inter are planning to move for Sampdoria ace Antonio Cassano once the proposed Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Samuel Eto'o deal goes through, according to Tuttosport.

The Nerazzurri and Barcelona have confirmed talks are in place and an agreement seems to be forged. The Italian champions will, according to Sky Sport Italia, receive €48 million plus the Cameroon international for the lanky striker. The next stage is getting the players to agree terms. Today's reports suggest the deal hinges upon Eto'o's decision as to whether he leaves the European champions.

With all the hype focussed primarily on the two hitmen, Inter are reportedly working behind the scenes for Antonio Cassano. Tuttosport claims the money provisioned from the Ibrahimovic deal would fund a move for 'Il Talentino'. His creativity is seen as a perfect accompaniment for the Cameroon star.

Inter are expected to offer Sampdoria Amantino Mancini plus €10m for the Italian playmaker. 'Doria have already revealed they are keen on Mancini, and sporting director Beppe Marotta said a lucrative offer would see Cassano being traded.

The Milanese giants would have to better Cassano's current €2.4m-per-season salary, and voices claim that would not be a problem should the club receive a significant windfall from Ibrahimovic's sale.

Source: http://goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zon ... brahimovic

[Lombardiamia]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

I was impressed with Motta yesterday. He made some nice passes and showed superb vision. His understanding with MIlito is good and if he stays fit I think he will have a major say in our season. Milito worked his ass off, I don't know how he managed to play the whole 90 min considering that we are just weeks into training. He really put in a great effort.

Quaresma was back to his own self, misplacing crosses and corners. He played a couple of good balls though especially the back heel to Stankovic.

I think the midfield looked good with Stankovic,Motta and Cambiasso.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

Dejan, the fact Marotta met with the Inter directors is true. But from what I could understand from the Italian sites, he replied that he was on a different business when he was asked whether he was there to talk about Cassano.

Read this piece of news...


Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o Could Sign For Milan In Coming Days – Report
In a sensational twist, the Cameroonian international may join the Rossoneri...
21 Jul 2009 01:39:06
Yesterday evening, negotiations took place between Inter and the agent of Barcelona's Samuel Eto’o, Jose Mesalles, as the two parties looked to finally reach an agreement over the player’s club future.

The transfer is set to be part of the overall deal that will see Zlatan Ibrahimovic head to the Camp Nou.

However, it was reported that the Nerazzurri offered Eto’o an attractive sum of €9 million per season plus a number of bonuses, but the Cameroonian is in search of something in the vicinity of around €12m per season on a five-year deal.

And now, the latest reports from Sky Italia have suggested that the blue half of the fashion capital may no longer be the frontrunners to acquire his services any longer.

Intriguingly, Milan are said to be a good chance of signing the talented hitman, despite their current financial problems. Mesalles supposedly met with the FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti for dinner last night to discuss exactly this, leaving the door slightly ajar to a shock move to the Rossoneri in the near future.

The reports conclude by declaring that it is likely that Eto’o will become a player of a team in Milan in the coming days, however the only thing that remains to be seen is which one…

[Dejan-Stankovic]

He was definitely there to talk about Mancini since they're openly courting him. That's good news in itself right?

I laughed at the Eto'o - Milan story when I read it. He'd be worth around 25 million in straight cash and wants about 12 million a season so Milan would offer 14.5 million and 3 million in wages. Somehow, I just don't think it's going to happen for them.

I couldn't watch the game with America Frank so can you give me a bit more detailed description of how the tactics looked? I read that we tried a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 and we would've tired by games end but is the anything else you can tell me?

[Lombardiamia]

It's true what Frank said about Marotta Dejan, or at least that is the official truth. Marotta said he was in Milan for banking affairs, though this might be just a cover.

I havent seen Inter's friendly too, so I would be interested to know something more about what happened. I'm not liking this year's pre-season....all the games are played at around 02:00 - 03:00 in the morning here....how the fuck am I gonna stay up to see a friendly at that time??

Oh and lollll @ that article about Eto'o to Milan........

[RomaShield27]

Inter confident Eto'o will sign
– Page last updated at 10:27 GMT, Tuesday, 21 July 2009 11:27 UK

Inter Milan are hopeful of tying up a deal for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o in a swap involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Italian champions are in talks with Barca about a deal that would also see Inter get about £38m and midfielder Alexander Hleb on a season-long loan.

"Until things are wrapped up, there's nothing to say but I am confident," stated Inter president Massimo Moratti. "Eto'o is one of the most important players on the market. Along with Ibra, he's one of the most wanted." Moratti added: "It's a good chance for us to have another champion."

Ibrahimovic was the top scorer in Serie A last season and Moratti had nothing but praise for the 27-year-old. "He's a very serious professional," he said of the Swedish international. "He has always behaved well with us. "He helped us win the championship and he was top scorer last year."

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who transfer-listed Eto'o last year, has said he believes the Cameroon striker should leave the club. "I am convinced that the best thing for Barca is for Eto'o to leave," stated Guardiola. "Could I be mistaken? Maybe so. But I am here to make these decisions."

Guardiola added Eto'o's departure would be good for the team. "I feel that it is best for the club and the team. It's a question of feelings," said Guardiola. "I am not here to change anyone's character, but I can decide on which players I want to count on for the season. "After what we won, we had to change the dressing room. I took this decision from my experience as a footballer."

Eto'o had been on the verge of a deal with Manchester City but Mark Hughes's side withdrew their interest last week. The forward signed for Barcelona from Mallorca for £16m in 2004.

[Lombardiamia]

Right now the difference between Eto'o and Inter is of 1M euro/year. Eto'o's agent started negotiations with 12M/year, we replied with 8.5M + bonuses. Right now, the situation is Eto'o is asking for 11M we are countering with 10M. Within today, the deal will be done......

If latest rumours are to be believed, the deal with Barca is of Eto'o + Hleb (loan and wage paid by Barca) + 50M euros. I guess that is the maximum we could get out of Ibra, and altough I hated the news at first, I beleive that this year we wouldn't have seen last year's Ibra, and we would have lost from him since he would have moved next year anyway. Let's not forget that we bought Ibra from Juve for 24M 3 years ago, and now we are selling him for around 75M if this agreement is confirmed. This is a deal we couldn't refuse, unfortunately. Now let's hope that cash amount gets at least partly re-invested...

[Totally FRANK]

Here's more info on the match...

Well to start of with I am not sure if we played the 4-2-3-1 because at least for me it looked like Mou started with Muntari on the left wing in the 4-3-3 with Milito in the center and Quaresma on the right. I am saying this because Quaresma seemed to play farther upfront and Stankovic played behind him on right midfiled. That did not go really well so Balotelli was brought in. The midfield looked more dynamic than last year with Motta in it,he has a good engine about him and good understanding with Milito. I was also impressed with his passing, some nice short passes as well as some long passes to the wingers up front.

Our wing play needs to improve a lot, Quaresma was pretty bad and neither Balotelli nor Muntari did much. Stankovic helped Quaresma a lot in attack and if Maicon comes as full back our right hand side would be really potent in attack if Quaresma can get his crosses right. The same cannot be said about the left, Balotelli was sometimes left alone and Chivu did not go forward at all. Milito worked really hard but he is not able to hold the ball up like Ibra or Drogba (Mou's teams have a strong CF like that) can so I think the tactic of defenders just bypassing the midfield with long balls to the CF will not work now. So we will have to keep the ball on the ground and play a passing game which is good IMO. Actually when Motta and Stankovic were on the field they played some nice one-two passes with the front three to get the ball moving. If they can continue playing like that I think it will be good to watch Inter. Obviously, they won't play like Barca but still we won't be as boring as last season but Motta and Stankovic and very critical to that.

The second half was a big mess with Ibra and Vieria coming in. Mou also brought in Obi and Khrin so no one cared about the formation I guess. Obi looked good, he is a small busy player, running around making those small passes to keep the ball moving. Khrin played very little and Destro did not play. Belec played the entire match. He looked a little nervous but at 19 he still has a long way to go.

Lomba, I am loving this pre-season. I am able to watch some matches at regular times like 8 or 10 at night. Today we play Chelsea at 11ET and it will be a bigger test no doubt.

[RomaShield27]

Lomba, has Hleb agreed a move to Inter? And how much will the clause be for Inter to buy him outright?

[Lombardiamia]

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]