I have a feeling that Osvaldo is gone if someone (Tottenham? A Spanish club?) is ready to pay for him. Prandelli has said that Vieri will be better next season, but for all the faith I have in Prandelli, I think he's blowing smoke there. The question then becomes if the Viola play both Gila and Pazzini or only one of them; my guess is that they will try both and see how it works, but that if it comes down to a "if Gila and Pazzini are both drowning situation", Prandelli will go with Gila. Where Jovetic fits into this (should he be signed), I don't know. In this context, it is worth noting that I have always had my doubts about Pazzini and would actually rather sell him than Osvaldo (but my last name is not Della Valle).

Sixmartlets, coproprieta works fine as long as the two clubs are in agreement as to what to do with the player (for whom he plays, who pays what percentage of his salary, etc.). Those deals are made on a season-by-season basis, and if the two clubs can't come to an agreement, there is a sealed bidding procedure (the famous "buste" or "envelopes") in which both clubs submit a bid for 100% of the player's registration to the Lega, with the highest bid winning. If Lanzafame really dreams only of playing in black and white, he should be going to Palermo and not toying with West Ham, as he chances of being a Juve player are much higher if he doesn't go to England.

Thanks Ursus I can understand that.

I hope, selfishly, that he doesn't go to West Ham as I cannot stand them.

Juve should keep all of him in my opinion, even if it means a No for Amauri now.

Worryingly, yesterday or the day before Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport both stated that Juve are very keen on Riise! Go figure. I'd like Alonso though.

It is a giddy time though and will only get worse in the next few weeks and months.

I love the way the Italian sports papers have always provided team graphics near to and during the close season showing the likely formation/players for clubs in the next season or post transfer window these days. Always including a number of wild transfer targetees. It's all very exciting.

Ursus, I see you mentioned on the La Liga thread that the Italian press are mooting a swap deal between Barca and Inter for Eto'o and Ibrahimovic.

Since news broke yesterday of mourinho's imminent appointment, I've been thinking about potential signings, and how he would shape the Inter team. One player I thought of immediately who I thought he wouldn't work with was Zlatan, but I could for some reason see Eto'o playing in his system (and of course Drogba).

Any chance it might actually happen?

Are the Italian press also speculating on who else will get the chop straight away at Inter?

Being the Italian football press, they are speculating wildly on everything (even on what the Special One is likely to wear on the touchline).

I would be shocked if Ibra went anywhere. His agent was quoted last night as saying that a swap was "possible", but I take that as just typical agent stirring. Mancini has gotten a (to me) surprising amount of support from the tifosi, and getting rid of Ibra would really start things off of the wrong foot. Ibra has also been quite enthusiastic about Mourinho's arrival.

As to departures, all of the focus has been on arrivals, and my sense is that no decisions of that sort will be made until they have a better idea of who is coming in.

According to reports, Jose has been very impressed with Zanetti, Maicon and Cambiasso, which shows that he's been paying attention.

In other Serie A transfer news:

Milan have acquired the half of Boriello's registration that Genoa had, and have re-signed Abbiati from Atletico Madrid. Dida, who has repeatedly refused to terminate his contract, is now their third keeper and risks becoming the Brazilian Winston Bogarde.

Samp have acquired Cassano's registration from Real Madrid and will only owe the Merengues something if they sell him to another club.

Liverani will be leaving the Viola, and is most likely to end up at Palermo.

Don't forget to mention that Lazio have sent Rolando Bianchi back to Manchester City. Guess who wants him now? Wolfsburg who are quickly building an Italian enclave wherever in Germany they happen to be (having signed Zaccardo and Barzagli).

On to something different, the former Juventus coach Paulo Amaral died last month. Did a bit of research for a piece on my blogand was surprised to discover that he was a really fascinating man.

He was on the coaching staff of the Brazil sides that won the World Cups in 1958 and 1962 - officially as the physical trainer but unofficially he was the one who prepared the team tactically. He was also one of the first to adopt a zonal marking system. Quite sad who forgotten he was in the end.

Teamtalk, getting all lyrical on a Friday night, say when the world starts to shine like you've had too much wine, that's Amauri ...

While the Gazzetta gets ready for Mourinho Mania by devoting its first four pages to the fact that Jose, Moratti and three other Inter representatives had lunch at le Tour d'Argent in Paris yesterday (without a single quote or a note of what they ordered).

On the subject of Inter, Goal.com says of Gazetta...

QUOTE:
Mourinho Demands Hamsik As First Signing

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Jose Mourinho has given Inter President Massimo Moratti the list of four players he wants to buy this summer, and at the top of this list is Napoli sensation Marek Hamsik.

The Gazzetta says that ‘The Special One’ has already notified Moratti of the four players he wants to sign ahead of the 2008/09 campaign.

Top of the list is Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik. The 20-year-old joined the Partenopei last summer from Serie B side Brescia and was an absolute revelation this season...

...The three other players Mourinho wants to sign are Udinese’s Gokhan Inler, Sevilla winger Diego Capel, and Arsenal’s Aliaksandr Hleb.

Genoa’s Abdoulay Konko will be the only player desired by Mancini that will arrive, joining from Genoa.

Another article claims that Diarra from Real Madrid is on his hit list, whilst he has instructed Moratti to sell Ibrahimovic...

QUOTE:
The ‘Special One’ is said to agree with those who believe that Ibrahimovic fails when it comes to the big games, particularly in the Champions League, a competition that Mourinho has been brought to Inter to win.

The amount of garbage is truly staggering.

so far as the Soros thing goes, I have just been ignoring it all in the vain hope it might go away. but it obviously isn't going to. argh.

Bologna make it back to A by beating Pisa at home.

Lecce, Albinoleffe, Brescia and Pisa will contest the playoffs for the one remaining place.

Lecce and Brescia won the first leg of their promotion playoffs; second leg this Sunday.

In transfer news:

Livorno and Italy keeper Amelia has signed for Palermo, but it has otherwise been rather quiet.

The Gazzetta is reporting this morning that Inter is offering Stankovic (who is clearly gone, having nailed his colours to Mancini's mast) and 25 million euro to Atletico Madrid for Kun Aguero. If Mourinho pulls that off, he truly is special.

Lecce's goal was a peach by Tiribocchi. Albinoleffe, on the other hand, were desperately unlucky when they saw Chiellini hacked (litterally) in the box. Not only did they not get a penalty but he was sent off for simulation. Three minutes later, Brescia scored the winner.

That said, perhaps it is the karma that they've sent out. A day from the end of the season they sacked coach Giustinetti after the fantastic season they've had. The man they replaced him with is the wonderfully monikered Armando Madonna.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be Lecce and Brescia, who are also the two clubs most likely to stand a chance of surviving in the top flight (though either would struggle).

Albinoleffe are just too small to make a go of Serie A, and while Pisa are not, going from C1 to A in consecutive seasons is a very serious challenge for any club.

For different reasons I've got a soft spot for all four clubs so it will be pleasing and disappointing at the same time no matter the outcome.

One thing though: how miserable is it when not even the play-offs are screened on TV?

There's a local channel that is carrying the Brescia matches on pay per view for 10 euro a pop, but it is very, very sad.

It should be better going forward, as the League has agreed to sell the rights for Serie A and Serie B together.