You are now entering the transfer zone

Yes, it's that time of year again. The hot summer months when transfer speculation gets tossed around more than the S.S. Minnow on a three-hour tour. But thankfully this year is different. After a World Cup, the situation heats up considerably. All the "new stars" are suddenly the focus of intense scrutiny and the "big clubs" try to throw their weight around and attract the fresh meat. Hopefully this summer things will get resolved quicker than the tedious molassesfest that usually transpires. I have little patience for the "is he going?" talk that can go for weeks.

We've already gotten word that Cesc will certainly stay in North London after some talk of him returning to Spain. And it looks like Ruud is on his way out of Old Trafford since neither Madrid nor ManU are commenting on the issue - a sure sign that things are about to go down.

As for Cristiano Louganis Ronaldo, I think he's headed south. A week ago it looked like he was a goner for sure, but Fergie's pride got in the way and he's circled the wagons around his young prodigy. Still, too much damage has been done and ManU will accept a boatload of Euros and ship him off to Spain.

One transfer that looks imminent is Roberto Carlos to Chelsea. This is fantastic. I can't wait to watch him ride the pine as the leaves change color this autumn. And, if by chance he gets a run in the side (Carling Cup anyone?) it'll be quite a joy to see opposing forwards leave him in the Stamford Bridge dust while John Terry hustles over to try and clean up the mess.

And then there are all the lads in Italy that will jump ship as their clubs get relegated to the nether regions of Serie B. It'll be like a government auction with seized pimped rides going for a fraction of their original cost. Nothing like a scandal to make things interesting. -Sanford