Roshan's Blog-O-Matic

Peppino Tirri, the FIFA agent that is acting as mediator between European giants Inter and Real Madrid, confirmed to Goal.com that both Samuel and Figo will join the Nerazzurri by the end of the week. "I heard about a return of Ronaldo to Inter, with Adriano going to Real. This news makes me laugh. The only names coming out of the talks between Inter and Real are those of Figo and Samuel," said Tirri. The FIFA agent also provided the time-span he believes it will take for all matters to be done and dusted. "The talks are very advanced. By Tuesday or Wednesday both players will vest the Inter jersey. Real were holding back because they were looking for replacements. But Samuel and Figo will soon be Inter’s," he explained. Figo is expected to join the Nerazzurri on a two-year contract worth around 3.5/4 million Euros per season. Argentine defender Samuel is instead expected to arrive at Moratti’s court on a one-year loan.

After weeks of negotiations, Alberto Gilardino is now officially a Milan player. The Italian international’s dream of wearing the Rossoneri’s shirt finally came through after a lengthy discussion between the two clubs, culminated on Monday night when the top officials of Milan and Parma met at the headquarters of via Turati in Milan. The announcement was made official just a few minutes after Gilardino joined the officials to sign the contract which will tie him to Milan till 2010. The Rossoneri paid Parma 24 million Euros to convince the Gialloblu to let their star player go.

Olympiakos are reported to be lining up a move for Norwegian striker of Valerenga, Steffen Iversen. Iversen looks set for another stint abroad after spending this past season with Valerenga and Olympiacos could be an ideal choice for the 29-year-old powerful forward as the Greek club’s new coach, Trond Sollied, knows all about the Norway international and he is keen to bring him to Athens. The Norwegian media are insisting that both Olympiacos and Benfica are after Iversen and the rumours were confirmed by Valerenga’s director Kjetil Siem, who gave an interview to the Greek daily "Sportime". Benfica haven’t made an offer yet but they made us some phone calls. Siem said, adding: "However, Iversen told us that he wants to play for Olympiacos". Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a loan move for Barcelona’s Javier Saviola, while Manchester City are understood to be considering a bid for Villa’s Darius Vassell.

Reports in England and Spain have suggested that Villa manager David O’Leary has flown to Barcelona to discuss a one-year deal for the Argentinean forward Saviola. O’Leary is said to be hopeful that Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel, who made his name at River Plate alongside Saviola and other Argentine stars Pablo Aimar and Ariel Ortega, can convince the Barca forward to spend next season in Birmingham, playing in the Premiership. Clinching the loan deal for Saviola could enable O’Leary to let Vassell go, as Stuart Pearce weighs up his transfer options with cash generated from the imminent sale of Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea. Pearce has seen Jon Macken depart to Crystal Palace, but is poised to sign Andy Cole from Fulham and is thought to have Vassell, 25, on a shortlist of strikers he’d like at Eastlands. Bastia defender Alexander Song has joined Arsenal’s pre-season training camp in Austria as a triallist. The 18-year-old, who can also play in midfield, has attracted Arsene Wenger’s interest as he seeks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season. Song is a product of the Bastia youth programme. He made 34 French Ligue 1 appearances for the Corsica-based club last season, after signing his first professional deal. The Cameroon-born player has also been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Internazionale.

ANDREW BRUNETTE #15 Birthplace Sudbury, Ontario DOB 8/24/73 Ht. 6'1 No. 15 Position Left Wing Shoots Left Wt. 210 Signed as a free agent by Minnesota, July 6, 2001; Traded to Atlanta by Nashville for Atlanta's fifth round choice (Matt Hendricks) in 2000 Entry Draft, June 21, 1999; Claimed by Nashville from Washington in Expansion Draft, June 26, 1998; Drafted by Washington in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

the acquisition of Andrew Brunette via free agency on July 17, 2001, surely stands as one of GM Doug Risebrough's most important moves. Brunette led the Wild in scoring his first season with 21 goals, 48 assists and a career-high 69 points. He tied for third with 28 assists last season and was fourth in total scoring with 46 points. Although his numbers declined, Brunette more than made up for it as the Wild qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time. Brunette was the Wild's second-leading scorer in the postseason with seven goals and 13 points. He finished tied for fourth among all NHL players with those seven goals. He had an assist on the Wild's first-ever playoff goal, but reserved his greatest accomplishment for the biggest stage when he scored in overtime of Game 7 to eliminate the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. Brunette appears to be one of those players that has a hard time convincing people how good he is. He led his youth-hockey league, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association with 65 assists and 103 points in 1989-90 and the Ontario Hockey League with 62 goals, 100 assists and 162 points in 1992-93 while playing for the Owen Sound Platers team that included Scott Walker, Wayne Primeau and goalies Jamie Storr and Kevin Weekes. For that, he earned a spot on the Canadian Major Junior Second All-Star team. 165 points, second team! Brunette was drafted by the Washington Capitals, but played only 62 games for them over three seasons before he was taken by Nashville in the 1998 Expansion Draft. He was traded to Atlanta a year later and put in two good seasons there before signing with Minnesota. His teammates think they got a steal for not only is Brunette a hard-working player who adds points, he's also one of the best-liked members of the team, affectionately known as "Bruno." "Andrew, who was kind of pudgy as a kid, joined us at Rayside-Balfour from another team for his midget years and another coach wanted to cut him," recalls youth-hockey coach Jerry Young, whose program also produced Norris Trophy winner Randy Carlyle. 'He can't skate,' he said. I said it's not that he can't skate, he doesn't skate well, but I've never seen a kid with better hands and touch around the net and he's strong on his skates. He couldn't be knocked over. I'd see two guys gang up on him, he'd be on his knees, but he'd still have the puck because of his outstanding hands and good control. He doesn't give up the puck easily."

Brunette and his wife, Lorie, make their off-season home in Valley East, Ontario...Nickname is ?Bruno?...First job as a kid was working for Parks and Recreation department...Most memorable hockey moment was winning the 1994 Calder Cup...Names his parents as the people who had the greatest impact on his hockey career...Favorite actor is Tom Hanks, favorite movies are ?Bull Durham? and ?Slap Shot?...Ray Ferraro, Steve Konowalchuk and Denny Lambert are his best friends in hockey...Played baseball as a kid growing up...Favorite non-hockey sports team is the Toronto Blue Jays...Lists Joe Montana as one person he?d most like to meet...Began playing hockey at age six...Rooted for Edmonton Oilers as a kid growing up...Enjoys golfing, fishing and playing softball away from the rink...Favorite T.V. show is Sportscenter and favorite ESPN announcers are Jon Miller and Joe Morgan... Lists walleye as his favorite food.