Transfer Talk: Bathez says Hola and Adios to Necaxa, Fernando Torres on the Market

By: Bob | June 12th, 2007

Monday was a classic example of all that is good and bad about the summer transfer period. We learned from a French magazine that Thierry Henry had signed with Barcelona which caused a buzz around the football world. A few hours later Herny denied the move, proving once again that this is the time of year taking transfer stories with a grain of salt is not enough. You need a bucket of salt. Here’s the transfer talk from Tuesday that may or may not end up being true.

The initial story was that Fabien Barthez had signed with the Mexican club Necaxa. Considering how poorly Barthez’s time with Nantes ended, you could almost believe that the Frenchman would want to flee Europe. Until you read his agent’s comments: “It’s a Mexican practical joke. There hasn’t been the slightest contact with the club,” Jean-Marie Cantona told AFP. You might want to look under your seat for whoppie cushions the next time you visit Necaxa’s stadium.

Fernando Torres has been linked with a move to the English Premiership since the day he was conceived. The Atletico Madrid young gun is reportedly on the market if you are to believe the Daily Mirror. Those chasing after him include the Big 4 in England, as well as Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle. I happen to like Torres a lot and think his game is suited for England. I also like my eggs over easy for those scoring at home.

In those heady days of World Cup Blog, I remember a lot of Argentina fans singing the praises of a young goalkeeper named Oscar Ustari. The Independiente keeper may gain his independence from Argentina if either Manchester United or Barcelona is willing to cut the check. Can anyone remember the last time there was a bidding war for an Argentine keeper?

Samuel Eto’o may or may not be part of the dominoes that fall if Thierry Henry eventually signs with Barcelona. Some say that AC Milan would like nothing more than Mr. Eto’o’s (is this the grammatically correct way to write his name in the possessive?) services.

Do you know who is going to be the next God among men? Samir Nasri, that’s who. The young Frenchman has star written all over him and I’m not talking about a tattoo of a star on his back. The Marseilles midfielder may be ready to move on to brighter pastures including the lovely fields in Inter Milan.

Former Celtic captain Neil Lennon, 76, has signed on to play with English League One club Nottingham Forest, who might just have my favorite crest in all of football.

Fulham and Birmingham have their eyes on Diomansy Kamara and Jason Koumas, but West Brom have decided to keep the pair so that they can gain promotion to the Premiership next season only to be relegated again in 2009.

Newcastle United want the Czech defender David Rozenhal who would like nothing more than to leave Paris St Germain for England.

Stop me if you have heard this before. Didier Drogba wants to leave Chelsea. Maybe. Perhaps. Probably not.

Borussia Dortmund are ready to overspend on the Romanian Dorin Nicolae Goian, a player who neither you nor I know a damned thing about.

Finally, here’s a guide to help you decipher some of the transfer talk.