Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Milan are scouring the market for a new center-back, and they have reportedly taken an interest in Juventus loanee Koni De Winter.

Milan Add a Second Genoa Defender to Their Wish List

December 29, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Genoa, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Transfer Market

Milan are scouring the market for a new center-back and have taken an interest in Koni De Winter. The Rossoneri will reunite with Matteo Gabbia at the beginning of January, but they won’t stop there considering their injuries at the position.

Leonardo Bonucci was on the verge of coming to terms with Roma director Tiago Pinto, but the club’s ownership came over the top to block the deal.

Roma Change Their Mind About Bringing In Bonucci

December 29, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Transfer Market, Union Berlin

Leonardo Bonucci was on the verge of coming to terms with Roma director Tiago Pinto, but the club’s ownership came over the top to block the deal. As a result, the defender won't transfer to the Italian capital for the second window in a row.

Napoli are in the early stages of searching for a new center-back, and Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest addition to their wish list.

Napoli Reportedly Take an Interest in Arsenal Defender

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

Napoli are in the early stages of searching for a new center-back, and Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest addition to their wish list. The Japanese international has rarely been a consistent starter since transferring to the Premier League. Natan will be out for six weeks.

Hamed Junior Traoré hasn’t found as much room as he expected in the Premier League and could head back to Serie A in January.

Top Italian Teams Line Up to Bring Back Hamed Traoré

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bournemouth, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Premier League, Serie A, Transfer Market

Hamed Junior Traoré hasn’t found as much room as he expected in the Premier League and could return to Italy in January. Lazio, Milan, Napoli, and Fiorentina are the first clubs rumored to be keen on the midfielder. All the suitors could use a new piece.

Juventus, Milan, and Inter were touted to be among the sides keen on Claudio Echeverri, but the River Plate talent is headed to Manchester City.

Manchester City Beat Serie A Clubs for Argentine Talent

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester City, Premier League, River Plate, Serie A, Transfer Market

Juventus, Milan, and Inter were touted to be among the sides keen on Claudio Echeverri, but the River Plate talent is headed to Manchester City. They blew the competition out of the water with a considerable offer. The attacker has drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi.

Bologna director Marco Di Vaio has revealed that they are free to set any price tag for Joshua Zirkzee and that they won’t entertain his January departure.

Bologna Exec Clarifies on Zirkzee and Thiago Motta

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bayern Munich, Bologna, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Bologna director Marco Di Vaio has revealed that they are free to set any price tag for Joshua Zirkzee and that they won’t entertain his departure in January: “We haven’t received any phone call for him. In any case, we wouldn’t even listen."

Inter need to negotiate some more with Club Brugge to sign Tajon Buchanan, who might end up replacing Denzel Dumfries given the challenging extension talks.

Inter Already Preparing Succession Plan on Right Wing

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Inter need to negotiate some more with Club Brugge to sign Tajon Buchanan, but his arrival doesn’t seem in jeopardy, and they are thinking long-term about their right flank, as the future of Denzel Dumfries is uncertain given the seesawing extension talks.

Roma is further weighing whether to sign Leonardo Bonucci considering the protest by their fans, while a second addition to their squad could hinge on Renato Sanches.

Roma Buy Time on Bonucci, Renato Sanches Closer to Exit

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Ligue 1, Premier League, PSG, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market, Union Berlin, West Ham

Roma is further weighing whether to sign Leonardo Bonucci considering the protest by their fans, while a second addition to their squad could hinge on Renato Sanches. The Giallorossi are seriously considering sending him back to PSG early because of his injuries.

Juventus have overtaken Bologna to acquire Vasilije Adzic from Buducnost Podgorica, while Milan are likely to hold off Manchester City for Matija Popovic.

Juventus and Milan Tipped to Sign Two Slavic Starlets

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bologna, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester City, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Juventus have overtaken Bologna in the duel to acquire Vasilije Adzic from Buducnost Podgorica, while Milan are likely to hold off Manchester City to put Matija Popovic under contract. The Bianconeri needed to raise their previous offer to be successful.

Napoli and RB Leipzig announced the Elijf Elmas transfer before the start of the January window, and the Azzurri reignited the interest in Lazar Samardzic.

Napoli Step Up Samardzic Pursuit After Selling Elmas

December 28, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, RB Leipzig, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market, Udinese

Napoli and RB Leipzig announced the Elijf Elmas transfer even before the formal start of the January window, and the Azzurri have reignited their interest in Lazar Samardzic to replace him. The midfielder wouldn’t have been available for the final match of 2023 anyway.

While Milan have been looking for a defender in recent weeks, they might soon receive a bid for one of their own, as Bayern Munich are eyeing Tomori.

Milan Vastly Lead Serie A in Days Missed Due to Injury

December 27, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Milan have been by far the Serie A side most hit by injuries this season. They recently lost Fikayo Tomori, who has joined fellow center-backs Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu, and Mattia Caldara on the shelf. The first three all suffered serious thigh problems. Since July 1st, their players have missed 800 days.

Juventus might ultimately stand pat if they don’t find a strong midfielder for cheap and simply adapt Kenan Yildiz to the position.

Yildiz Agent Dishes on Recent Goal and Juventus Future

December 27, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Hector Peris Ros, the representative of Kenan Yildiz, addressed his break-out goal and his Juventus plans in an interview: “He came here to score in that fashion, and especially win titles, the Golden Boy and the Champions League with the Bianconeri."

Author: Enrico Passarella