Brushing him off as a two-bit mid table hack? You've got a lively imagination, yeah? Who said anything about that? Also, why would we want to collect players from the 2006 WC winning squad, when we're headed for 2013-2014?
Bud, Padoin and Isla don't typically play the role/position that DDR does. He is a very, very good player, but we have both Pogba, and Asabob who should be getting games in central midfield. Both are box to box, we don't need to add DDR for 20M+ or whatever, plus huge wages (For Serie A). It just doesn't make sense, it would be excessive, and stunt the growth of some young, quality players who the club invested in last year, guys who have earned playing time, and are much more affordable.
If we want to upgrade the midfield, the way to do it would be to add a true LWB. Thing is, I really appreciate Asamoah as a player, and for now the only way he's going to get any time right now is at LWB; I don't really see a purchase of a Kolarov, etc., I think Beppe/Conte will spend the money elsewhere. We'll see.