Winter Mercato

Its that time of year again where the Serie A clubs can take stock of their achievements, or lack of them, to date and see where re-enforcements are required. Thats exactly what I am going to do today, looking at some of the rumours that have already begun and some of the areas that believe need re-enforcing on certain teams.

Milan, Juve and Inter
The big three, currently contesting the top three spaces could all do with a little freshening up. Inter will loose Sammy Eto'o in January so a forward is an option you would thing for the serpents. Lazio's Goran Pandev has been linked and due to his current contract situation could be available for only a few million, compared to the 40 million plus that other target Sergio Aguero has been valued at. As for Milan the wing back positions look vulnerable in all honesty. Oddo and Zambrotta have been caught out for pace more than once this season. In light of that it is no surprise to see Brazilian and Schalke 04 ace Rafinha being linked to Milan, and Juventus in fact as well as they look to strengthen their defence. Both of these clubs have also been linked to Edin Dzeko, the Wolfsberg striker who has made quite an impression in Europe in the last two season. However, they may have Chelsea for competition also.

Roma, Fiorentina and Napoli
Amongst the competing clubs for that 4th Champions League spots remain these three clubs who have been rumoured to be active in this mercato. Roma are in need of an addition forward it would seem to help Vucinic and Totti up front as they compete in three competitions. A number of names have been mentioned. Valencia's Nikola Zigic has been linked to Roma, as has Tottenham Hotspurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Real Madrid's Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Napoli, despite their huge summer mercato, have been linked with Lazio's Cristian Ledesma in a possible swap deal with cash for Luca Cigarini, while Genoa too have also been linked with Ledesma but this time in a swap for benched striker Sergio Floccari, the former Atalanta man who enjoyed success their last season. The links to Ledesma are endless and Fiorentina and Juve have been linked as well to the Argentine.

Lazio, in crisis
One of the more interesting mercato's is likely to take place at Lazio. Interesting in the sense of the escapades that will likely suround it, rather than who will or may arrive. With an abysmal start to the season and two of their best players in contract disputes, Goran Pandev and Cristian Ledesma, Lazio will look to move them on in January rather than loose them for nothing in time. Rumoured destinations for the pair seem to be any club in Italy competing for European places, though Pandev is likely to end up at Juve, Inter or Milan and if not abroad. Lazio therefore have major re-enforcing to do. Luca Cigarini and Sergio Floccari are two of the more promising names linked of late but President Claudio Lotito has before conducted several poor mercato's and many fans will not be expecting an different this time.

It looks like it will be a busy market, so stay tuned.

Pandev image credited to Andrea 93