Calcio Mercato: Inter line up Antonio 'Peter Pan' Cassano

I don't usually like to buy into the rumours that fly around the summer mercato. Probably 90% of them never turn out to be true. However, one popped up today that just could not be ignored, even if in the end it turns out to be nothing but an afterthought a few weeks into the season. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic rumoured to be involved in an exchange deal with Barcelona for Samuel Eto'o and 40 million Euros many Interista may have been left slightly disappointed last night. However, some of the disappointment may be lifted by the proposed plan to use the money to bring in other than Antonio Cassano. Since moving to Sampdoria from Real Madrid midway through last season Peter Pan, as he has been dubbed by some, has been simply outstanding. Performances have to be seen to be believed, and it is not unfair to call him the best Italian player in the world by some distance. How he is continually left out of the national squad by Lippi is beyond me, after 12 goals this season and 10 in just 22 games in the previous campaign. But its not the goal per game ratio that defines Cassano, it is the ability to turn any defender inside out, shoot and pass with either foot, score goals that defy believe and ultimately, and perhaps most importantly, he has showed a much more composed attitude in the last campaign to suggest that he is ready again for a big club. Additionally, he will complement Eto'o and Milito perfectly and will help Balotelli grow as a player, as it is known that there is great respect between the two players.

Will this move happen, who knows. But Sampdoria have been interested in Inter winger Mancini and likely know that they can't hold onto Cassano forever. Indeed, the sale of him will give them the funds to add strength to an already very good side, a side that includes Dessena, Palombo and of course Pazzini.

Genoa: Another star arrives?

Rodrigo Palacio, the Boca Juniors star, is on the cusp of signing for Genoa. The forward, who usually plays down the right wing, is a quality player who will add to an already sparkling forward line. Diego Milito may have gone, but Sergio Floccari, Hernan Crespo and talented Siena winger Kharja have arrived. Palacio would add huge depth alongside last seasons stalwarts in Jankovic, Olivera and Sculli. They have also added Valencia right back Moretti to their ranks. This is great for Serie A, alongside the strengthening of Napoli this summer also. Arguably, alongside Fiorentina and Roma, there will be four other challengers for the coveted fourth spot in Genoa, Napoli, Palermo and Lazio.