Post by Taxigirl on Jan 25, 2004 9:07:57 GMT
Lazio continue to negotiate Dejan Stankovic’s immediate sale to Inter and Roberto Mancini refuses to accept this switch.
“If Jaap Stam and Dejan Stankovic were to leave in January,” he explained in a press conference, “then it would obviously be more difficult to achieve our aims for this season, especially if we reinforced one of our rivals for that fourth place.”
The Serbian international has been in talks with Inter for several months, but a series of setbacks have held up the move.
As his contract expires in June, it would be in Lazio’s interest to sell up for a nominal fee now rather than lose him for free in six months’ time.
“Looking at the pace set by the top three,” continued Mancini, “we can only try to catch Inter and Parma in the battle for that fourth Champions’ League spot.”
Alberto Zaccheroni’s men have already picked up one reinforcement this month by bringing in Adriano from Parma – a player Mancini desperately wanted at both Fiorentina and Lazio.
“The Brazilian will further boost what was already a strikeforce of great quality. I am one of those rare Coaches who believes Adriano and Christian Vieri can co-exist, so I think Inter will be the team to beat.”
Every week the newspapers insist that we are watching Stankovic’s final game in a Lazio jersey and the fans are beginning to turn on the midfielder.
“Dejan needs to stay calm and relaxed, even though this situation is really not helping. It’s become a psychological problem now and he seems to play better away from the pressure of the Stadio Olimpico.”
He will be able to test out that theory this afternoon when Lazio travel to face relegation battlers Lecce.
Inter and Juventus are also chasing Jaap Stam, but once again Mancio puts a stop to any talk of a move.
“The transfer market does not exist for this club,” he concluded, “because our players will not leave until June at the earliest.”