Milan - It may look like a case of lacking gratitude or just the way things work in football, but a possible transfer of Julio Ricardo Cruz from Inter Milan is something his many fans will have a hard time to digest.

Cruz' 75 goals from 181 games played in five seasons seem to mean nothing to new coach Jose Mourinho, who lately slammed the 34-year-old striker for alleged indiscipline on the pitch and appears set on not renewing the player's contract when it expires next June.

La Gazzetta dello Sport aptly labelled Cruz "the world's best substitute bomber," but his talent for scoring crucial goals after coming on late in the game may not be enough to keep him with the Serie A champions.

In his two latest feats, he first rescued Inter from an embarrassing defeat away to Cyprus side Anorthosis Famagusta last week, where he came on to score the equalizer for a 3-3 draw.

On the weekend he again got onto the pitch late in the game and scored an injury-time 1-0 winner over Udinese that pushed Inter to the top of the Serie A again.

But should his relationship with Sergeant Mou, one of Mourinho's nicknames Italy, remain strained, Cruz doesn't lack opportunities to continue his satisfying career.

When the transfer market opens for a month in January there will be several teams ready to snatch him, possibly on loan until the end of the season, when he will be available at no cost.

Interest has been shown by Spain's giants Barcelona, but Roma are also said to be keen on a ruthless goal-area striker that could help them recover from a horrible season start.

However, having played for Inter in the Champions League he would not be eligible for Roma in Europe this season.

Struggling Bologna, where Cruz played for three seasons after Feyenoord Rotterdam and before Inter, may also be considering to lure him back.

Gaining attention at a time when new Argentina coach Diego Maradona is reshaping the national team is what Cruz needs to close a career marked by seriousness and professionalism.

The impression is that any place could be good for him in January, rather than spending time on Inter bench until the end of the season. (dpa)