Transfer Talk: Ronaldo Here, The Other Ronaldo not there, Giuseppe Rossi Everywhere

By: Bob | January 24th, 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.

While Real Madrid are more than happy to let Ronaldo move on to the fun that is AC Milan they would like nothing more than to save money by handing the kit with ‘Ronaldo’ on the back to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester United star is in demand these days but don’t expect him to be breaking the ladies hearts in Spain any time soon. Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz says he ain’t going anywhere in a hurry.

Everyone loves Guiseppe. Close your eyes and picture the names of all the megabucks teams in the world. Finished? Ok, now insert those clubs’ names into the sentence: _____ are interested in acquiring Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi on a permanent deal. The kid from Italy via New Jersey is on loan with Parma and the recipient of much love from those who have seen him play.

Speaking on Man U, Alessandro del Piero says that he almost jumped off the Juventus ship to join the Red Devils this past summer. Let’s hope he enjoys that Serie B title this year.

When you are looking for an 18-year-old striker you should look no further than the talent producing machine that is Ajax. Liverpool have gone down that well trodden path by signing Jordy Brouwer. Liverpool are building for the future this transfer period. What a luxury that must be.

I’m not sure what Fulham are building for but they continue to be very active. Today that signed Simon Davies away from Everton. He is a Welsh international so you don’t have to worry about him getting tired from playing too much in international competitions.

Now that Milan Baros has been shipped to Lyon the truth comes out. He claims he was this close to going to Chelsea but the nefarious Shaun Wright-Phillips nixed the deal by refusing to move to Aston Villa. Baros and Shevchenko would have been quite the pair up front, especially if you are a fan of not seeing goals.

Clarence Seedorf is not going anywhere. The 30-year-old Dutch wonder will remain with AC Milan until 2011 or when his right leg falls off, whichever comes first.

Portsmouth are being linked with a move for the Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari who impressed the heck out of me while playing for Ghana during the World Cup. He also had a funky haircut so maybe that was the reason for my affection.

Newcastle United say they are hoping to complete the signing of an international defender on loan in the next 48 hours. No word who that player might be but I can confirm that it is not Alexi Lalas.

FC Nürnberg goalkeeper Raphael Schäfer will leave his Bundesliga club at the end of the season to join rivals VfB Stuttgart on a four-year contract. I hope to never see him in a sex tape.

The Scottish darlings Hearts have now added Georgian Gogita Gogua – a great name if ever there was one – to the acquisition of Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston.

20-year-old Ajax starlet Ryan Babel will join Arsenal in the summer, according to an inside source. That inside source is neither Arsene Wenger nor Ryan Babel so we’ll have to wait a few more months to see if this is true.

Celtic remain close to signing Cameroon international defender Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe from Rennes. I have never heard of him either.