Transfer Talk: Macherano’s Minutes, Kaka Charms, Ronaldo Roams

By: Bob | January 16th, 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 intrigue over Javier Mascherano has gotten intriquer, to coin a phrase. The Argentine midfielder hasn’t exactly fit in at West Ham, but that hasn’t stopped Liverpool from sending FIFA a letter asking it to waive the rule that says a player can’t play for more than two clubs in a year. Considering the fact that Mascherano has played a whopping six minutes at West Ham since October 22, the ‘Pool might have a case, but I don’t see FIFA bending on this one.

When I was at the World Cup last summer I saw a few grown women nearly swoon at the sight of Kaka. Apparently his charms have a similar affect on middle aged men. Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon is having a hissy fit because his predecessor allegedly contacted AC Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi earlier this summer and warned the former Italian leader to lock up Kaka to a deal before Real Madrid could. “The Real Madrid President, Ramón Calderón, doesn’t disturb my rest with his promises about Kaká. Calderón’s dream is just that: a dream. I’m sure he’ll stay with Milan”, Berlusconi commented at the Rossoneri Xmas dinner. Good to know Sil is sleeping well at nights. Dreaming of Kaka does make the night go by faster.

Speaking of Real Madrid, the club have told Ronaldo he is free to go, which means that the rumors are really going to start flying. Do you think MLS will go for a double swoop and lure him to New York Red Bulls? I’m not so sure if the league will shoot its wad for a player who likely wouldn’t put as many butts in the seats as Beckham, but as is usually the case I could be wrong.

Speaking of butts, Everton continue to pursue Joey Barton despite being told by Manchester City that he is not for sale. Barton apparently has a clause in his contract that allows him to talk to any club that offers City £5.5m. My asking price for a chat is a pint of beer. I have not been contacted by anyone.

Meanwhile, Manchester City fancy River Plate striker Fernando Cavenaghi who is more than good enough to be able to log 6 minutes of Premiership playing time.

Frederic Piquionne says he won’t play for Saint-Etienne after the club blocked a move to French champion Lyon. Piquionne has also compared himself to a “slave”, which is just about the time I lost any sympathy I might have had for the guy.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has said he would rather spend an evening listening to Rio Ferdinand talk about nuclear physics than lose striker Nwakankwo Kanu, but according to reports in Holland PSV Eindhoven would like nothing more than to have Kanu’s considerable talents in the near future.

Chris Coleman has decided against signing Vikash Dhorasoo for Fulham. The former French international had a bit of a trial but wasn’t overwhelming enough to convince Coleman to keep him. No word yet if all those Americans playing for Fulham have convinced Coleman to start calling his chips Freedom Fries.

Gabriel Heinze is staying at Manchester United, at least until tomorrow when we read that he isn’t. The defender is still needed because Southampton are not so eager to let its 17-year-old prodigy Gareth Bale walk away this transfer period.

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres and his outrageous asking price are once again linked to Chelsea. I like Torres a lot, but am not certain any player is worth the Gross National Product of Moldova.

Lazio have agreed a fee with Serie C1 side Ternana Calcio for their Chilean international Luis Jimenez. The 22-year-old did a bang up job at Fiorentina last year. You heard it here first: with Jiminez and Matias Fernandez scoring goals Chile is going to be very tough in World Cup qualifying this go around.

Bayern Munich midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic will join Juventus on a free transfer at the end of the season. The Bosnian has played with Bayern since 1998. After spending all that time in close proximity to Oliver Kahn he should be well prepared to be a part of that nightmare known as Juventus.