fantasista news...

Pastore, Sneijder, Cassano & Ganso on the move?

This week has seen the future of four fantasista’s being linked with moves away from their clubs this summer, and as you would expect with Italian-born phrase, it is clubs from the peninsula who are at the centre of the speculation.

Pastore & Sneijder moving on?

First up, Palermo’s Argentine starlet Javier Pastore has apparently been subject of a massive €34m bid from newly rich Spanish club Malaga CF. The club was linked with the player a few months back but this new rumoured ‘bid’ has come about when El Flaco was quoted by Fox Sports Argentina stating that: “the time to leave Palermo has now arrived”.

Both Pastore and his agent were then quick to deny saying he wanted to leave, releasing a statement on the player’s official website: “The truth is that I never said that (Fox Sports Argentina) because, as I always point out, I am happy at Palermo. What I repeat every time is that if I receive an interesting offer that is good for both the club and for me, then we will evaluate it along with Palermo and my agent.”

However the rumour mill is now in full swing and whilst both Palermo and Malaga have denied talking, the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea are now also being linked with making a move. Most interesting however is a link to AS Roma. They’ve recently been taken over and have money to spend, have just appointed Luis Enrique as manager who’s promised an attacking brand of football, but more importantly have just installed Walter Sabatini as their new director of sport – a position he held with Palermo, working closely with Pastore’s agent.

Next up is the seemingly endless link Wesley Sneijder seems to have with a move to the Premier League, and in particular Manchester United. The English champions have been chasing Inter’s fantasista since the 2010 World Cup when the Dutchman was one of the players of the tournament. British press seem keen to insist a move is definitely on the cards but this week Sneijder himself moved to try and quash the rumours stating: “The city of Milan is marvellous, picturesque, full of elegance and I love it. At the moment I am very happy here and I don't see why I should leave.”

Ignoring Sneijder’s quotes the British media are still having none of it – merely days later The Daily Mirror insist United are now prepared to offer winger Nani in a part-exchange deal with Inter.

Chelsea, on the advice of Guus Hiddink, are also rumoured to be sniffing around the fantasista, despite his insistence that he is happy in the city of Milan.

One in, one out at Milan? Cassano & Ganso

Staying in the city of Milan but moving to cross city rivals and new Scudetto holders, AC Milan’s Antonio Cassano has been linked with a move away from the club. Both Fiorentina and Napoli are being touted as possible destinations for FantAntonio, to ensure he gains first team football ahead of Euro 2012.

Cassano’s agent Beppe Bozzo, who seemed slightly annoyed by the constant speculation, insisted his client is going nowhere: “This is a broken record that has been going on for a long time. There is no reason to change club and Vice-President Adriano Galliani reiterated Cassano is not for sale, as he fits in perfectly with Milan.” He told Mediaset Premium Calcio.

Finally, but staying with the Italian champions, Brazilian starlet Ganso will be under Milan’s watchful eye this summer. The Santos fantasista has been called up to the full Brazilian squad for this summer’s Copa America despite struggling for fitness with a thigh strain. Once the squad was named, Milan wasted to time in sending delegates to Brazil to make contact and possibly start pre-negotiations with the silky midfielder. 

Milan have been long time admirers of Ganso and could look to strike a deal before the competition begins, stealing a march on any other potential suitors.