The whole Ledesma affair is getting under my skin. His agent says he's leaving, he's angry, no he wants to stay, now he won't negotiate with Lotito etc. etc. etc. Is this guy really worth all the trouble (and the money)? I don't really think he is. Yeah he scored one of the best derby goals in the last ten years and when he's on he's very good, but it's infrequent and when he's off, he's absolutely unwatchable. Too many times last season I watched games thinking "is Ledesma on the field?" Sorry, but a set-up man like him needs to be consistently on, otherwise the whole offense founders.   

I think if we keep him fine .. if we lose him I wont be too dissapointed as long as his shoes get filled with someone as skilled. Rumours are we will be getting Augusto Fernandez within days and possibly Guana as well. I have a feeling we will lose him before the season starts .. I just hope if we do its sooner so we can get his replacement integrated with the team sooner. After Ledesmas last dismal season this guy should shut up about wanting more money. How bout you give us one good season first then talk.

after pandev now everybody wants more money, now lotitto will have a big problem, the old guard wants to left lazio, he must do something (buy new better playes like fernandez to replace him) or must give the money to him

Even as a hint to execute article 17 I would get rid of him ASAP. This to me is nothing but a threat and we don't need players with this attitude. Who does this guy think he is ? I'm starting to dislike him now and prefer these mercenaries be sold.

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Ledesma To Execute Article 17?
The agent of Lazio star Cristian Ledesma has once again hinted that his client will execute FIFA’s Article 17 in order to leave the club next year.

The 26-year-old Ledesma has been unhappy for some time now at the Biancocelesti’s refusal to issue him a pay rise.

The Argentine’s agent Vincenzo D'Ippolito has threatened on a number of occasions that unless he is paid what he deserves, his client will execute FIFA's Article 17 in order to leave the club for a small fee next year.

Article 17 allows players to break the contract with their club once a "protected period" has expired. This protected period is three years for those under 28, which is the bracket that Ledesma will fit in, come 2009.

"The player will certainly remain at Lazio for the coming season,” D'Ippolito told Radio Kiss Kiss today.

“However, next year we will see."

Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and AC Milan have all been linked with a move for Ledesma, with the latter said to be keen in using the midfielder as an alternative to Andrea Pirlo.

Ledesma joined Lazio in 2006 following five years at provincial club Lecce. He is soon due to receive his Italian passport, meaning that, having never played for Argentina, he will be eligible to play for the Italy national team.

Ledesma has a fantastic shot and the occasional great pass but he's extremely inconsistent and makes quite a few errors which sometimes cost us dearly. If we get a good offer for him i'd say sell him.

30/07/2008 18:50
Ledesma: I’m Leaving Lazio
Lazio midfielder Cristian Ledesma has announced on public radio that he will not sign a new contract at the club, meaning he will leave the Biancocelesti either this summer or next.

Ledesma has been attempted to negotiate a new contract with Lazio for quite some time now, however he has grown increasingly frustrated by the club’s refusal to issue him a decent pay rise.

The Argentine’s agent Vincenzo D'Ippolito has threatened on a number of occasions, and as recently as yesterday, that unless he is paid what he deserves, his client will execute FIFA's Article 17 in order to leave the club for a small fee next year.

Ledemsa has now himself announced that there is no chance of him signing a new contract, meaning that it is now inevitable that he will be leaving the Italian capital either this summer or next.

“There is no more margin for a contract renewal,” Ledesma, who joined Lazio from Lecce in 2006, told Radio Radio.

“There is no more margin because I do not want to renew.

"When I arrived here there were other teams I could have gone to where I would have made more money, but I chose Lazio for its history, and for the project.

“I accepted the salary cap, however, now things have changed. If a player is important, as is the case with me, it is only right to expect something more."

The only question that seemingly remains is whether or not Ledesma leaves now or in a year’s time. Were he to stay at the club until 2009, Lazio may only receive a small portion of compensation due to Article 17.

I say F**k him, we don't need greedy bastard. Did he even see how he was playing last season and to ask for raise. He disappoint me a lot I start to hate him now, all this arguments to the media "I'm leaving/ I love Lazio". Buy new mid and sell that as**ole! LEDESMA MERDA  FORZA LAZIO

Same shit different article ....

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Ledesma sends Lazio warning    
Wednesday 30 July, 2008
Cristian Ledesma has told Lazio he will be leaving at the end of the season after contract renegotiations collapsed.

“When I arrived here there were other clubs I could have joined that were offering more money,” said the Argentine midfielder.

“I chose Lazio for the project, the side's history and I accepted the salary cap.

“However, that cap has changed and if you are considered an important player, such as myself, then it is only right that you expect a little more.”

Ledesma is a fan favourite, but his split with President Claudio Lotito has been increasingly evident in recent weeks.

“There is no fight with the club,” he insisted. “I asked for a contract renegotiation to be sorted out before July 12 because I didn't want to start pre-season training with other worries in my head.

“I didn't receive a yes or a no from the club. It is not a war, though, as there can be differing opinions.”

Ledesma and his agent have said they no longer wish to enter into talks after President Lotito refused to attend a planned meeting.

His contract expires in June 2011, but the midfielder is determined to walk away using the Article 17 loophole.

“The way Article 17 is constructed means we cannot use it to join another Italian club,” explained agent Vincenzo D'Ippolito.

“It's a shame, as he was of interest to Inter, Juventus and Fiorentina. Overseas there are Real Madrid, as Predrag Mijatovic told me he's crazy about Ledesma, plus Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.”
   

but i think Lazio do not have money troubles its replacing him that is more important here.

-ledesma's a solid player
-he's also a fan favourite


You never know what goes on behind closed doors at the clubs...it may be totally different wht they say in the media.

to me "There is no fight with the club,” he insisted. “I asked for a contract renegotiation to be sorted out before July 12 because I didn't want to start pre-season training with other worries in my head.

“I didn't receive a yes or a no from the club. It is not a war, though, as there can be differing opinions.”

says to me that they are in negotiations but are not hesitant to release a statement to the puplic until something concrete has been put into place...plus the media is a football players best friend when it comes to negotiations about money and clubs most time..to get they're point across.