Herald Hernanes

Hernanes is incoming. The tifosi have anticipated his arrival for what seems more like months than weeks and the profeta will arrive to hopefully proclaim a new dawn and a season of unprecedented success. The transfer has been made official on the Sao Paolo website and we wait only to see him in the biancocelesti; a sight that will be a dream come true for many.

Suspicions that a move may be imminent were practically confirmed by Hernanes himself in the wake of Thursday's Copa Libertadores defeat to Internacional, where Sao Paolo were dumped out on the away goals rule. At a time when most in Rome were fast asleep for the night, it suddenly became apparent that the Brazilian maestro was a laziale. 

However, it will be quite some time before we see Hernanes in any kind of action for us. International duty beckons as he has been drafted in as part of Mano Menezes' first Brazil squad and he will look to cement himself a regular place with a good performance against the USA should he get the chance. Once dismissed from his national obligations, he will presumably head for Rome to receive what I would expect to be a rapturous welcome. Considering he is midway through the Brazilian season, it remains to be seen how our coaching staff intend to get him ready for eight long months of calcio. 

In the meantime, attention will once again switch to Kevin-Prince Boateng who still tugs on our heartstrings in addition to those of the Genoa and Milan hierarchies. Also in line for a move to Rome is Portuguese forward, Hugo Almeida. President Lotito is trying to secure the Werder Bremen hitman for something closer to four million euros than six and this is believed to be the sticking point.

The Lazio mercato appears to be far from a conclusion but by putting a seal on the Hernanes deal, many will now be satisfied with the summer efforts.