With a new year upon us, the January transfer window will be opening up soon. While normally we don’t see super-stars switch allegiances in this period, but 2011 could be different. The names of Klose, Toni, Gilardino, and Kaka have been circulating, but can we really expect these players to move in January?

Starting at the top of the table, AC Milan seem omnipotent with the team they already have. Ronaldinho will probably be leaving for Gremio (the club where he started his professional career)  in Brazil. While the Brazilian would be glad to return home, AC Milan are trying to squeeze anything out of Gremio, and Galliani has put an 8 million Euro price tag on Ronaldinho.

AC Milan fans shouldn’t worry that one of their Brazilians will be leaving, the replacement is already training with the team in Dubai. Antonio Cassano seems to be the perfect replacement when Ronaldinho leaves, and he is probably and even better partner for Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front. But AC Milan are looking to sign another creative Italian, Andrea Lazzari, to help out the already overpowered attacking sector of the team. Massimiliano Allegri shouldn’t have too much trouble bringing the 26 year-old to the San Siro considering that he coached him last season.

The rossoneri will also try to do some work regarding Kevin-Prince Boateng who belongs to Genoa but is on loan at AC Milan. It is very possible that Milan will try to give half of Alberto Paloschi for half of Boateng, but we will have to see what Genoa want from Milan for the Ghanaian midfielder. It should be a fairly quiet transfer market for AC Milan, but you never know with Berlusconi.

Lazio are looking to buy this transfer market, and there are multiple names circulating as to who they want as their new center-forward. While Bayern Munich‘s Klose would be the dream, it is more likely that Manchester City reject Santa Cruz could join. Sadly there have been problems regarding that deal as well, and it seems like Santa Cruz isn’t interested in a loan or transfer to Lazio. So now the name which has been mentioned is Federico Macheda‘s. The young Italian currently at Manchester United could return to Italy for a loan (or permanent transfer) deal.

Inter Milan are searching for a few players to buy, and while the names of Kaka and Fernando Torres have been mentioned, it is doubtful that Moratti will be splashing the grotesque amount of cash needed for those players. Instead Inter are chasing Zaccardo to strengthen the defence, and the wild idea of Patrice Evra of Manchester United has been floating around. Ilicic of Palermo is unlikely to be bought in January and so is Udinese‘sSanchez, both might be additions made this upcoming summer. For now Inter have got Ranocchia from Genoa, but there could be few other signings until the summer of 2011.

Juventus are looking at some possible deals, but nothing has materialized yet. While the big rumours have been around a possible swap Gilardino-Amauri, it is more likely that the Fiorentina forward arrives for a hefty transfer fee, without a swap. What is needed for Gilardino’s arrival is some cash, and Juventus might find it in the form of selling Sissoko. The Malian has been observed by Wolfsburg, and a deal worth around 10 million Euros could be struck sometime soon. The money from selling the midfielder could be used to get a proper forward to finish off all of Krasic’s delightful crosses, Edin Dzeko maybe?

Roma has sold Julio Baptista to Malaga for around 2 million Euros and it seems like the giallorossi have managed to agree a deal with Behrami of West Ham. Another unhappy Brazilian at Roma had apparently decided to leave, but it now seems that Adriano will be staying with Roma. Unless it is a successful season for him, expect him to leave for Brazil this upcoming summer.

Which possible tranfser are you looking forward to most? Share your comments below!

Olof Melberg (pictured/Reuters) comes up big for Juventus scoring his first goal at the club, and rescuing a point after the Bianconeri fell behind to Lazio in the first 25 mins off an exquisitely taken free kick by Cristian Ledesma.

Earlier in the day scudetto leaders Inter lost 1 – 3 away to Atalanta. Surely this was on the minds of the JUVE players who gave up a rare opportunity of shortening Inter’s lead further.

Inter manager Mourinho takes the blame for dopo il K.O Bergamo (after the K.O. in Bergamo)headlines at La Gazzetta dello Sport this morning.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Roma would rely on a goal in extra time by Julio Baptista against Torino to hand the captial side victory and steal all 3 points from the relegation zone northerners.

Lazio vs Juventus Goal Highlights

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007 (actor Daniel Craig) spotted at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday

Matchday Results

Saturday January 17th
Siena 1 – 0 Reggina
AC Milan 1 – 0 Fiorentina

Sunday January 18th

Atalanta 3 – 1 Inter Milan
Cagliari 2 – 0 Udinese
Catania 1 – 2 Bologna
Chievo 2 – 1 Napoli
Lecce 0 – 2 Genoa
Sampdoria 0 – 2 Palermo
Torino 0 – 1 AS Roma
Lazio 1 – 1 Juventus

Roma have signed offensive threat Julio Baptista, to strengthen a Totti short lineup, doing so with little time to spare. 

Over the last 3 weeks readers have clearly indicated the depleted status of Roma as a concern with several poll results placing the Giallorossi on top for change. [1]

It is a significant move by the captial club in closing out this deal and picking up the player from Real Madrid for an estimated $12 million euros.  The Spanish side will also receive an additional half a million per season if the Giallorossi qualify for the Champions League during the next two seasons. Baptista has signed a four-year contract which allegedly matches his current income with the The Meringues. [2]

With the departures of Brazilian Amantino Mancini, Frenchman Ludovic Giuly and the question mark status of Francesco Totti the team is still short of options and in my opinion must acquire two more players for a depleted midfield if they want to be competitive in more than Italian Cup play.

The Headlines From Italy This Morning,

Gazzetta dello Sport: Roma, here’s Baptista and Totti plays half an hour,
Gazzetta dello Sport: Baptista is coming
Corriere dello Sport: Roma-Baptista: It’s really done

References 

1.  Serie A Poll Results:

Most Expensive Injuries In Serie A -  Francesco Totti 56%
Which Club Could Suffer Most By Not Signing…  – Roma, not signing a quality striker 50%

2. Gazzetta dello Sport: Baptista is coming