Jun 19
Transfer Rumours: Quaglierella, Smudger and Heinze (again)
Sampdoria’s Fabio Quagliarella has broken his silence and admitted his interest in joining United if the opportunity presents itself. As you may know, his agent had previously issued a come and get me plea. But the main point is that he indicated that United have upped their bid from a previously reported 10 million pounds. He spoke to Gazzetto dello Sport and says that their offer is ’serious’.
“It seems a serious offer, they have raised it and it is an important figure.
“Manchester United are a big deal and if it ended up going that way, I would gladly join the Premier League.
“It is a fascinating and beautiful competition.”
Well, I really feel ambivalent about this deal and while one part of me says that if the scouts are really serious about this guy then he might turn out really good, the other part of me says that given we have made so many transfer deals this season, one of these signings is bound to flop and that flop might just be this lad. It’s a bad hunch that’s all. Don’t lynch me for this. I wish, if he does come over, he would score a hatful of goals. Anyway, his arrival might indicate Ferguson’s intention of really preparing the side for the long haul and if he does arrive, then it would not be to slot him in straightaway, but to create some real competition for striking positions. For, let’s be honest here, Ole is old and Smudger cannot really be expected to change a game (he’s never been prolific for us) and it looks likely that he’d be the one to be sold.
Speaking of whom, Alan Smith is attracting interest from Boro. And if we do get a striker, we must sell him because, he is still rated by many clubs and he would fetch us decent money. I am sure the Glazers would want a bit of squad trimming. Although, I think Sunderland might be the place he will want to move.
And as expected, the Spanish media will come into their own during the next two months, spinning their yarn. Manchester Evening news carries a report that links Madrid to Heinze again, but since it does not contain any new references to any Spanish tabloid or whatsoever, we take it more as a forewarning of what to expect from the Iberian peninsula over the coming weeks. As far as I am concerned with regards to the Heinze saga, things will be clear only after he returns from the Copa America.
Finally, Nani says he can’t wait to prove the Chelsea scout, who claimed United paid over the odds for his signature, wrong and he is looking forward to the community shield. The determination in the lad is nice to hear, but I’d suggest he comes over well ahead of the pre-season to sign up for classes on “The Art of Learning to Shut up While Letting your Football do the Talking” under the tutelage of Sir Alex, Queiroz and Ronaldo.
Related items from Red Rants:
June 19th, 2007 at 10:09
Quagliarella? I do not trust this man. Maybe someone like Redrants can research on his latest performance in Italy and come up with the statistics e.g. number of goals, number of assists, his height, how many goals scored with his head, is he a speedy man or a tortoise? Does he hold on to the ball like Saha or does he act as if the ball is biting his feet like Smudger? How well can he gel with Rooney up front? But I have to admit, I feel a chill down my spine when his name is being connected with United. He looks as if he could be a flop, I am afraid to say….
June 19th, 2007 at 10:17
[Hiram Gakembu]
Let me point you out to two posts that may be of use to you:
(1) This was on our sister/mother site Soccerlens. Click here to go to the article
(2) The other one is this on Red Rants itself, where there is a fleeting mention about the player. Click here.
If you need stats, he’s scored 13 goals in 35 appearances this season, and if you need more info, head over to his wikipedia page.
Hope that helps
June 19th, 2007 at 12:14
Hey red ranter, Fergie is just about to make a serious blunder in the transfer market, I can only compare this guy to Diego forlan..And again the signings from italian league to the premier has been flops. Look at Cheva, Martins, Veron, Mutu, Crespo….and others. Am sure this guy is crap, we should go for proven players like Anelka, Mc-carthy…But anyway, at times its good risk in life and that what AF is just about to do…only time will tell….
June 19th, 2007 at 12:52
If you think Quagliarella is crap you are out of your mind mate. Itlains doens’t rate crap highly. They wouldn’t rate him as the next big thing for their national squad if he was crap. Bottom line
June 19th, 2007 at 12:53
If you think Quagliarella is crap you are out of your mind mate. Italians don’t rate crap highly. They wouldn’t rate him as the next big thing for their national squad if he was crap. Bottom line
June 19th, 2007 at 13:38
@Elishaphan Onguka
What about Bergkamp?Wenger bought him from Inter where he was something like shit,shit,shit!They told Wenger “you ‘ll be lucky if he scores more than 5 goals/year” .The rest is history.
Henry was shittttty in Juventus,too.
And finally Zola!
u canna compare players using their previous league as a criterion.You think every portuguese winger is like Ronaldo?
June 19th, 2007 at 13:43
you can find his stats height etc here…
http://football.stats.com/seri/players.asp?player=35540
June 19th, 2007 at 14:03
Elishaphan Onguka(phan):
If he is anything like Forlan, ill be happy. Forlan is a quality player, 20 goals a season for the last three season in la liga is about as good ass it gets. If United bought him back I wouldnt be too disappointed.
June 19th, 2007 at 15:29
Crap or not, flop or not…we wouldnt know until he actually join us and play in the EPL. He could be next superstar…who knows.
The only problem lies with the amount of transfer fees. 8-10 million is still worth a gamble. Anything more…forget it.
Smith is not prolific but don’t forget that he has the right attitude as a MU player. He did not refuse the order from SAF when he was asked to play in midfield role. Try asking Saha to play midfield?
Sometimes…i really wonder whether Smith’s decision to be flexible…and to play in whatever position the team needs…has somehow forced him down the pecking order.
June 19th, 2007 at 15:33
Quaglarella? Forget it! 10 million pounds and even I hear the offer was increased. My my my, Quagliarella - how comes I had never heard of him before? At least I knew of Nani and Anderson even before I thought of them coming to Man U. But Quagliarella????? I would not risk in a passing cloud - a guy who has just scored 2 goals for Italy and suddenly become a hero. I would go for proven talent over a period of time - and may be Saviola is the best bet here…….
June 19th, 2007 at 16:54
Hiram - Well you not having heard of the guy probably means nothing, when United look for talent…as long as the right people like what they see, he could be a big player in United, if we bring him in.
Alvin - Saha would probably play in midfield, if he was suited for the job, but he’s not. Smith was put down there and did an ok job, because he’s calmer on the ball, and because he throws down when playing. But it’s an interesting question about Smith’s position in the pecking order. He’s been set back in his development by playing in midfield, and it’s certainly made him a utility player. The question is just whether or not he has ever had the talent to be more at United…I’m not sure.
June 19th, 2007 at 17:09
I would rather see Rossi get a run in the side than pay upwards of 10 million for this guy what United needs is someone in the short-term on the cheap who can bag a few goals while Rossi develops into the next big thing. In a way maybe United don’t need a striker because they have plenty of players who can play there.
Striking options (if no-one is sold): Rooney, Saha, Rossi, Smith, Ole, Anderson and Giggs and Ronaldo can also fill in if needed
June 19th, 2007 at 17:13
By the way I agree with Bootifullgame on Forlan. Maybe over her he was just overshadowed by Ruud.
June 19th, 2007 at 18:02
Many comments and I agree with most of them. This striker is unproved, he had just one “good” season, but he can still be a flop. Furthermore I don’t feel comfortable with Italian strikers, no racism, but they are used to their own play in Seria A and in their national team. Toni is the only highly rated striker who is moving out of Italy in the past 5-7 years and we need to wait to see how he would do. I say give Saha one more year and may be, just may be we can give Rossi his chance.
June 19th, 2007 at 20:15
Selling Smith and buying Quagliarella will be a huge mistake. Smith has the right mentality for the Premier League and enough class to play for United.
June 20th, 2007 at 5:31
Bootifulgame, If u want to say Forlan was not a flop @utd then u r cheated, this is a guy who went almost the whole season without scoring a goal. Even last season in Laliga did he manage even 10 goals…Quaglarella to me is a NOOOO NO, better ANELKA, MACARTHY OR OWEN anytime..
June 20th, 2007 at 6:34
@ Elishapan,
Owen is no anywhere near as good as this guy as player overall. And Owen is a midget. this guy is 6 ft
@Liam O’kelly
We have only one striker of Saha’s type. Only one that can actually lead the line. the rest are all varrying versions of Rooney. Youc an’t honestly expect us to pas through a season with only one Saha’s type. Results like the FA Cup final will then be pretty frequent or the run we went on before that of not scoring in open play for 4 games in a row .
@ James,
Smith has nothing on Quagliarella. I’m a fan of Smith but I can tell you that you would rather have Fabio to call on than him. Fabio is a natural finisher
On top of that Fabio is only 23 . So he won’t be as big a block for Rossi when it comes to getting into the first team.
June 20th, 2007 at 15:14
Elishaphan wrote :
Bootifulgame, If u want to say Forlan was not a flop @utd then u r cheated, this is a guy who went almost the whole season without scoring a goal. Even last season in Laliga did he manage even 10 goals…Quaglarella to me is a NOOOO NO, better ANELKA, MACARTHY OR OWEN anytime..
Hmm, yes last year ye scored 19 goals all season, and about 20 the two seasons previous. 54 goals in 103 matches. The reason he never settled properly at OT was probably because he was playing from behind Ruuds enourmous shadow. Also, the way United play now compared to how we played with Ruud in the team are completely different, im sure even you can see that. So there may be an argument for saying that Forlan might be better equipped, himself, to deal with the demands of the Prem, and also he might find it easier to fit into the side now. You never know. Id like him back.
As for Anelka he’s clearly motivated by money and his dodgy agent(brother). He’s extremely disruptive and moody.
Owen, AKA sick note. We already have Saha, why buy another crocked striker.
Mccarthy, yeah he’s ok, i suppse. Still would prefer others instead tho.
June 20th, 2007 at 21:16
@ Keith Moses Kaira II
Ronaldo is hardly ever actually on the right wing so maybe he could lead the line he certainly has the attributes Quick, much improved finishing and aerial ability. Rossi can also fit the bill minus aerial ability and Rooney could also because he is strong like Ruud but much quicker and the only difference is that Rooney plays deeper which can be altered. He scored 23 last season in a “bad´´ season.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:44
I believe selling Smith will be a big mistake. Just heard on MUTV that Boro’s offer is for 2mil. That is pathetic.
Bent=17, Smith=2
Smith=England International…does not quite make sense
June 21st, 2007 at 14:25
Those of you who disagree with yhe signing of Quagliarella certainly haven’t seen him play.
He is definately the type of player who would be welcome at OT.
He could certainly lead the line and be the final finishing piece to our team.
We gona regret it in the future if we don’t sign him…