Juventus, Milan and Inter will again battle for Scudetto

July is usually associated with the close season transfer market across Europe. This is the time when clubs spend a great deal of money on pre-established budgets to strengthen squads and enhance their chances to lift silverware in the approaching season.

Before, most of the clubs in Italy used to invest a fortune to recruit a big name in the market. The situation now seems different as many clubs are on the brink of bankruptcy whereas others have had their budget slashed due to repeated losses reported in previous years.

Take Lazio and Roma for instance. Lazio won their second league championship only five years ago whereas Roma became champions a year later for the third time in their history. Since then, both have gone through anxious moments off the field as heavy debts forced them to part with some of their best players.

Inevitably, the two big rivals from the capital are no longer considered title challengers. Not only that but in the past season, Lazio and Roma were deep in the mire of relegation until the concluding stages of the campaign.

Parma and Fiorentina were also big names in the Serie A up to some years back. But, the Viola had to start afresh from the Fourth Division due to former boss Vittorio Cecchi Gori's notorious dire financial state.

Parma were lucky to avoid the same fate as Fiorentina when major shareholders Parmalat found themselves in difficulties as well.

Parma and Fiorentina also risked going down last season. Fiorentina salvaged their status on the very last day whereas Parma needed a relegation play-off against Bologna to stay in Serie A.

Le Sette Sorelle (the seven sisters), as the seven title challenges for the Scudetto were referred to some years ago, have now wilted to three.

In my opinion, the 2005/06 league will be a three-horse race.

One need not be a great Italian soccer connoisseur to assume that Juventus, Milan and Inter will again be the main contenders next season.

Last year, they showed they were a cut above the rest. Next season, probably, the gulf will widen again. If the latest transfer wheelings and dealings are anything to go by, then these three teams will become even stronger.

By contrast, it is already an uphill task for the others to keep hold of their most prized assets, let alone how much spending power they have to bolster their squads.

This may apply to all Serie A clubs except Fiorentina perhaps. But even here, they are playing cautious.

Juventus remained on top of the standings last season from the first until the last day. They are efficient in all departments. But if they manage to increase Fabio Capello's options, particularly in midfield, their challenge at home and on the continent would be even stronger.

Cassano move

Juve were lately linked with various players, including Arsenal duo Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires. However, like most other transfer news at this time of the year, the interest in the Highbury stalwarts could be only media hype and nothing else.

Doubts also persist over Antonio Cassano's transfer to Turin from Roma.

The player wants to make the move but is he the ideal player Juve need to bolster their attack?

Cassano badly needs to improve his character to play for Juve. The ex-Bari forward would be an ideal partner for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, he would also clash with Alessandro Del Piero for the role of a supporting striker unless Capello opts for a more attack-minded 4-3-3 module with Cassano and Del Piero playing behind Ibrahimovic.

Like Juve, Milan and Inter will only make minor additions to their already-strong squads.

Inter have just given Christian Vieri a golden handshake (nine million euros) and the much-travelled striker did not lose time to sign a two-year contract for Milan.

His decision brought harsh criticism from Inter supremo Massimo Moratti. The fans also thought it was inexplicable for someone to have played for Inter for six long years to join rivals Milan when he could have signed for any other club in the world.

But Vieri's surprise move had nothing to do with an appetite for success or revenge. It was driven by the wish to stay in Milan due to his business involvements in the city.

Coach Roberto Mancini insisted several times that Inter need only minor adjustments, mainly in de-fence, to challenge for the honours.

Either Walter Samuel or Christian Chivu are seen by Mancini as the ideal signings to make Inter's rearguard function better. Santiago Solari, who has just put pen to paper on a three-year contract, is a valuable addition to Inter's midfield. This sector could become even stronger if they sign Pizarro from Udinese.

The media reported that Inter were also in contention for the highly-requested Alberto Gilar-dino. But, I guess, it would be a mistake for them to sign the Parma striker as this could create a friction with Adriano.

The two have already played together at Parma but at that time, the Italy striker played second fiddle to the Brazilian. Gilardino's career only took a twist for the better when Adriano left for San Siro in January 2004.

Gilardino has always expressed his desire to play for Milan. So, how can Inter sign a player who wants to play for their bitter rivals?