- Barcelona officials have reportedly told forward Javier Saviola, goalkeeper Rustu Recber and midfielder Oscar Lopez to start looking for new clubs.
Saviola’s exit was all but confirmed when the club snapped up Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o from Mallorca.
With Eto’o, Deco, Larsson and Giuly all added in the offseason, manager Frank Rijkaard deemed Saviola surplus.
Reports are already swirling that Saviola could be joining Champions League finalists Monaco on loan for one season.
However, Monaco do not have the cash to purchase Saviola on a transfer and if another club emerges with an offer, look for Barca to give transfer offers first priority.
As for Rustu Recber, the Turkish international has been unhappy with life at the club ever since he lost the starters' role last season. Once considered among the best shot-stoppers in Europe, Rustu’s stock has decreased dramatically since he joined the Spanish giants.
Lopez, whose contract with Barcelona runs until 2007, has also been told to pack his bags as he is not in the clubs plans for the upcoming season.
- Fiorentina have been linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Santi Solari. The Argentine is in the final year of his contract at Real, and the Merengues are thinking of moving him on now, as opposed to letting him walk for free in under a year’s time.
Fiorentina director general Fabrizio Lucchesi reportedly held talks with Real officials yesterday.
Solari has been a bit-part player at Real over the past four seasons.
