Transfer Talk: Another Ronaldo for Real Madrid, a Robot for Juventus, a Plane for Fulham

By: Bob | January 4th, 2007

It is that time of year again when the rumors are hot and heavy and fiction becomes reality. We’ll do our best to help you stay on top of all the latest, greatest and lamest winter transfer window news. Here are some Grade A nibbles from the football transfer world today.

The silly season is officially here. We learn today that Real Madrid has supposedly made a play to pry Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United. This comes a day after Ronaldo’s agent claimed Barcelona turned down the chance to sign him this summer. Coincidence? Man U. is of course is largely laughing at all of this since they have no plans of getting rid of a 21-year-old who has blossomed into one of the English Premier League’s top talents.

Juventus doesn’t want to be left out of the headlines so today there are rumblings that the Serie B giants will go after Liverpool’s Peter Crouch. In return Liverpool would be willing to part ways with David Trezeguet. They’ll have to find a really big ass if they land Crouch.

The Icelandic currency exchange rate must be good this week since the new West Ham owner is said to be ready to open up his considerable wallet to bring in Chelsea winger Shaun-Wright Phillips and West Brom midfielder Nigel Quashie in deals combining £11million. That should help pay for a week’s supply of caviar for Chelsea’s owner.

Fulham is a busy little beaver this transfer season. Today, they have added an airplane to their American armada by landing Vincenzo Montella on a 6-month loan from Roma. Meanwhile, the club has announced that they are letting Dutch striker Collins John depart for the always popular “unnamed Premiership club”. Someone please give that club a name, pronto.

Someone must have fed Sunderland some prune juice because they are awfully feisty this transfer period too. The Black Cats have taken 19-year-old Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans off of Manchester United’s hands for a loan. He can speak with Sunderland boss Roy Keane in that secret Man U language.

There is gossip and speculation in Scotland as Premiership teams go bargain hunting for the next big thing. Craig on the Scotland Offside has it covered like fly paper.

If you follow Argentina football you probably know about Estudiantes midfielder Jose Sosa. Reports say the 21-year-old stud is being pursued by Spain’s Atletico, home of our all-time favorite player Sergio Aguero.

Meanwhile, another Argentine wunderkind Rodrigo Palacio has thumbed his nose at the big boys and has signed a new deal with Boca Juniors. The deal is for three years and I will pay you each a million dollars if three years from now he is still playing with Boca Juniors. Check back with me on January 4, 2010.

Finally, there are reports that Barcelona have got their grubby little paws on 20-year-old Argentine keeper Oscar Ustari, who by all accounts is an up and comer worth keeping an eye on.

Got some more transfer news, rumors and views? Leave a comment or shoot an email to bob[at]theoffside.com.