Monday's Mercato news / pre season matches begin

Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano is edging closer to AC Milan for an 18 million euro fee it would appear from reports seen on goal.com. The Brazilian is apparently keen on the move to the San Siro to link up with fellow Brazilians Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho. Despite loosing Kaka, if Milan acquired the Brazilian's services they would boast a potent forward line that would additionally include Marco Boriello, who had an outstanding season for Genoa two years back but was beset by injury for the majority of the last season. Personally, I feel this would be a good move for Milan, and one that greatly increases their chances of success. With new defenders Thiago Silva and Oguchi Onyewu, and with Alessandro Nesta returning it would be unwise to underestimate Milan's chances of success next season.

Elsewhere in mercato news Genoa continue their mini Real Madrid like revolution. Crespo, Kharja, Pele from Porto, and Sergio Floccari have already arrived but it would appear that this is not enough. Now it would appear they are chasing Boca Juniors forward Rodrigo Palacio and holding midfielder Sebastian Battaglia. These would be ambitious signings as both have played for Argentina in the past and are quality players. As well as the new signings, they would join Sculli, Jankovic, Palladino, Criscito, and defender Bocchetti in a very strong outfit. It would not be unfair to say they were the revelation of last season under excellent tactician Gian Piero Gasperini.


Lazio fly in first pre season friendly match whilst Roma struggle
Lazio began there preparations for the new season by beating local side Auronzo 10-0 in impressive style. Goran Pandev weighed in with a hatrick whilst Tomasso Rocchi scored a brace along with left back Alexandr Kolarov. City rivals Roma could only manage a draw against Czech side Viktoria Plzen, and were actually trailing at one point but pulled level through an own goal. Protests blighted the training exercise though, as a number of the 2,500 watching urged President Rosella Sensi to sell the club.