Sampdoria Coach Walter Mazzarri has discarded Press reports that Antonio Cassano maybe heading for Marassi in the summer.
The 'Talentino' is searching for a new club after new Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster made it clear that he is not part of his future plans.
Reports in the Italian Press today had suggested that the Genoa based club were supposedly interested in a loan deal.
'I do not think the Cassano option is possible, at least for this year,' mentioned Mazzarri to Radio Radio.
'I was informed about these rumours, however I have never spoken about this possibility and I know nothing about it. This is not a strategy, it is the truth. Cassano is obviously a good champion, this is not under discussion. However, I do not think he would arrive this year. After Vincenzo Montella's signing we are fine upfront, as we also have Andrea Caracciolo, who we hope will recover his best condition. In any case, if sporting director Beppe Marotta calls me we can talk about it,' concluded Mazzarri.
Sampdoria had already been linked with Cassano earlier in the summer, when Marotta stated that the reports were 'nothing however pure fantasy.'
07 07 2007
A cryptic comment from Sampdoria GM Beppe Marotta has started speculation that Vincenzo Montella could return to the Blucerchiati.
Looking to make up for the loss of player forward Fabio Quagliarella and Francesco Flachi, who was sacked after failing a drug test, Samp have already signed Palermo's Andrea Caracciolo and Claudio Bellucci from Bologna.
However, it appears that Doria are looking to make one further swoop before the season starts and it is widely thought the new addition will be Montella.
'Our new man will be one of our ex players,' Marotta said in an interview for Rai. 'We are looking at big name – a club like Sampdoria can make this kind of signing.'
Although there is no definite indication that the mystery man is L'Aeroplanino, it could be a logical move for both club and player.
The Azzurri hitman spent the 2nd half of last season on loan to Fulham as he does not fit into Luciano Spalletti's plans.
With the arrival of Mauro Esposito the 33 year old's chances of finding regular 1st team football at the Stadio Olimpico have become even slimmer.
Montella made his name at Sampdoria between 1996 and 1999 when he made 83 appearances and found the net 54 times.
24 06 2007
Reggina hitman Nicola Amoruso is on the verge of completing a transfer to Palermo, as stated by reports.
The veteran has had a sensational season at the Stadio Granillo, as his 17 goals in 34 games helped form the most prolific partnership in Serie A with Rolando Bianchi.
He was linked with the vacant spot at Fiorentina after Luca Toni's departure, however rumours claim that Amoruso has agreed to the proposal from Palermo.
Requested by new Coach Stefano Colantuono, the Rosanero require a new centre forward to replace the Sampdoria-bound Andrea Caracciolo.
It could be a return to Sicily for the ex Juve forward, who spent the 2004-05 campaign at rivals Messina.
Amoruso, who turns 33 in August, has had a well-travelled career at Sampdoria, Fidelis Andria, Padova, Juve, Perugia, Napoli, Como, Modena, Messina and Reggina.
Palermo have also bought Davide Matteini after winning the blind auction with Empoli, however lost Stephen Makinwa to Lazio.
23 06 2007
Andrea Caracciolo has left Palermo after Sampdoria netted him in a co-ownership deal this afternoon.
The 25 year old, who joined the Isolani from Brescia in 2005, failed to impress last season and had already publicly said that he could be leaving Sicily in the summer.
'Palermo and Sampdoria have agreed to a co-ownership deal for footballer Andrea Caracciolo,' read a note posted on Sampdoria's website.
Caracciolo, who was also a reported target for Torino and Liverpool in recent times, started his career in Serie D with Sancolombano, before moving on to Como and Pro Vercelli.
He made his Serie A debut with Brescia in 2002 and spent the 2002-03 season on loan at Perugia.
The 'Heron' earned his maiden call up with the Nazionale in 2004 and was recalled by Roberto Donadoni last summer for the friendly with Croatia.
The forward had hoped to take full advantage of the opportunity offered by Amauri's injury before the Christmas break, however only managed to score 5 Serie A goals last season with the Rosanero.
22 06 2007
Udinese Calcio sign Italy forward Fabio Quagliarella outright from UC Sampdoria, with the Genoa club finding a replacement in Andrea Caracciolo from US Citta di Palermo.
Udinese have gained full ownership of Quagliarella after outbidding Sampdoria in what the Italians call a blind auction for the other club's 50 per cent share in a player.
The 24 year old former Torino Calcio and Ascoli Calcio forward will therefore leave Sampdoria after a solitary season in which he scored 13 goals in 31 Serie A starts.
Quagliarella, who was linked with English champions Man Utd FC, also netted twice on his 1st full appearance for Italy in a UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying triumph in Lithuania on 6 June.
UEFA Intertoto Cup entrants Sampdoria have filled the gap by acquiring the services of another player in whom they have a half-share, 25 year old Palermo frontman Caracciolo.
The one time Italian international spent 2 campaigns in Sicily, registering 14 goals in 62 matches, and Palermo will retain their stake in the player.
Palermo have also secured the signature of 25 year old forward Davide Matteini from their fellow UEFA Cup qualifiers Empoli FC following another blind auction. Matteini scored 4 times in 32 league outings last term.
