Plenty of Nilmar Talk

We have discussed rumors about Nilmar's possible return to Brazil. Now it's back to the interest of AS Roma and former Barcelona B manager Luis Enrique.

A reported €20 million offer was tabled by Villarreal over the summer with the departure of Santi Cazorla to Málaga. But the rumors about Nilmar have not died away, even with the Brazilian's striker long layoff (which should end on Saturday away to farolillo rojo Racing Santander).

The player's Brazilian agent took a potshot at Villarreal: Nilmar wants to win titles, and that is not happening here. Which begs the question: then why go to dysfunctional Roma? The player acknowledges the two remaining years on his contract and that these rumors always surface at the end of the Brasilerão. True. But I'm not reassured on the Roma link, even though the player demonstrates some gratitude to Villarreal for its faith in a former Lyon bust.

Another name, a blast from the past, has surfaced as a possible replacement: Alberto Gilardino. The veteran Fiorentina striker and Italian international was a summer target before names like Javier Saviola and Ivica Olic emerged. I hated his violin-playing celebration after scoring against the United States at Germany 2006, but he would be a welcome aerial presence.

The team's play over the next few weeks may have a significant impact on which direction Srs. Roig and Llaneza take in the winter transfer market. Buyers or sellers? Let's take it one game at a time and see what happens.