Mutu Signs! (And Other Bits Of News)
•It's not actually official official yet, because there's a suit signature missing (that'll come on Thursday), but word on the street is that Mutu has, at long last, finally signed his extension. The contract includes a significant raise (the original offer was €2 million + incentives, but I've read reports of it being as high as £2.2 million, so I'm no sure what's right), and will tie him to the club through 2012. At least on paper.
•On the contract front, now that Mutu and Frey and both sorted, Gamberini is next on the list, and he could extend his contract as early as tomorrow. Eeeeeexcellent.
•Santana and Liverani (who was appointed Palermo captain virtually the moment he rolled up to training) have been exchanging compliments through the press recently, with Santana saying he was surprised by Liverani's awesomeness (which is sort of a backhanded compliment, since it seems to suggest he thought he'd suck), and Liverani echoing his words, and wishing Santana good luck this season. Aw.
•Arturo Lupoli, on loan at Norwich, played his first 45 minutes for the Championship side yesterday in a friendly. He says he's not 100% fit (there's a groin strain involved, apparently), but is fired up for the season, and claims English football suits his style better than the Italian game. Whatever his style is.
•A random rumor appeared today about Fiorentina sending Pasqual to Juve in exchange for Almiron. I'm not sure I get why Fiorentina would want another midfielder, but there you go. (In that same story, there's also another mention of the possibility of Pazzini leaving. Feel free to ignore that if it freaks you out.)
•Among those clubs interested in the great Papa Waigo are: Lecce, Chievo, Livorno and Real Betis. Whew.
•Frey talked to the official site about his extension, and was his usual adorable, oddly nervous self when faced with a mic and a camera at which he's told to stare.
•Also on the official site, a very sweaty Ondrej Mazuch gives a rundown of Slavia Prague (because he's Czech, you know, so he must know the team). I link not because I can understand it, but because I love him and we never get to see him in living color like this.
ETA: Sky are reporting that Almiron could be in Florence tomorrow for a medical. Whoa.
•On the contract front, now that Mutu and Frey and both sorted, Gamberini is next on the list, and he could extend his contract as early as tomorrow. Eeeeeexcellent.
•Santana and Liverani (who was appointed Palermo captain virtually the moment he rolled up to training) have been exchanging compliments through the press recently, with Santana saying he was surprised by Liverani's awesomeness (which is sort of a backhanded compliment, since it seems to suggest he thought he'd suck), and Liverani echoing his words, and wishing Santana good luck this season. Aw.
•Arturo Lupoli, on loan at Norwich, played his first 45 minutes for the Championship side yesterday in a friendly. He says he's not 100% fit (there's a groin strain involved, apparently), but is fired up for the season, and claims English football suits his style better than the Italian game. Whatever his style is.
•A random rumor appeared today about Fiorentina sending Pasqual to Juve in exchange for Almiron. I'm not sure I get why Fiorentina would want another midfielder, but there you go. (In that same story, there's also another mention of the possibility of Pazzini leaving. Feel free to ignore that if it freaks you out.)
•Among those clubs interested in the great Papa Waigo are: Lecce, Chievo, Livorno and Real Betis. Whew.
•Frey talked to the official site about his extension, and was his usual adorable, oddly nervous self when faced with a mic and a camera at which he's told to stare.
•Also on the official site, a very sweaty Ondrej Mazuch gives a rundown of Slavia Prague (because he's Czech, you know, so he must know the team). I link not because I can understand it, but because I love him and we never get to see him in living color like this.
ETA: Sky are reporting that Almiron could be in Florence tomorrow for a medical. Whoa.