Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

With current Juventus exec Giovanni Manna primed to take over Napoli, the Partenopei and the Bianconeri will be even more intertwined.

Juventus Enamored with Increasingly Expensive Talent

December 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus have been keeping tabs on Shakhtar Donetsk’s talent Georgiy Sudakov, but it’ll be arduous to purchase him in January. Director Cristiano Giuntoli scouted him in person during the recent Ukraine matches, and was very impressed with what he saw. His stellar showings drive up the request.

Roberto Calenda, the agent of Victor Osimhen, didn’t react too kindly to the latest rumors about Saudi Arabia. The transfer is in serious jeopardy.

Osimhen Extends Olive Branch to Napoli as Talks Ramp Up

December 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Victor Osimhen was named the African Footballer of the Year for 2023 on Monday, beating Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi. The brass and his camp are putting the finishing touches on the renewal, as De Laurentiis anticipated a week ago. His salary will rise to €10M net per season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic officially returned to Milan on Monday with a wide-ranging role within RedBird Capital that will expand well beyond the club.

Milan Hierarchy to Use Newcomer as Jack-of-All-Trades

December 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Zlatan Ibrahimovic officially returned to Milan on Monday with a wide-ranging role within RedBird Capital that will expand well beyond the club. The former superstar will be very involved in the Rossoneri, even though he won’t be present at the training center daily.

Darko Ristic, the agent of Dusan Vlahovic, was in the stands in the recent clash between Juventus and Napoli. He hadn’t been in town in a couple of months.

Juventus to Touch Base Again with the Agent of Vlahovic

December 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Darko Ristic, the agent of Dusan Vlahovic, was in the stands in the recent clash between Juventus and Napoli. He hadn’t been in town in a couple of months. The negotiation to extend the contract of the striker continued remotely. The visit will reignite their efforts.

Roma are making strides in their restless effort to purchase the services of the sought-after Sevilla center-forward Youssef En-Nesyri.

Milan Might Need to Sell Before Spending in January

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Fenerbahce, Italian Football, Ligue 1, Lille, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Milan have been often tipped to pursue Jonathan David despite Lille’s resistance. While there are no doubts about their interest, they need to raise money to go after him in January. Despite his declining price tag, his valuation remains high, especially since they hadn’t planned to do much.

Adrien Rabiot has been recently rumored to have made up his mind about staying at Juventus for at least another season but it's not the case.

Rabiot Mother Rubbishes Reports About New Juventus Deal

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Adrien Rabiot has been recently rumored to have made up his mind about staying at Juventus for at least another season. However, her mother and agent has come out to state that wasn’t the case: “I completely deny the news spread by the sports press last Thursday."

Napoli haven’t been able to properly replace Kim Min-Jae, and they could bring in a new center-back in January to plug the hole.

Napoli Go Back to the Well to Find a New Center-Back

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market, Wolverhampton

Napoli haven’t been able to properly replace Kim Min-Jae, and they could bring in a new center-back in January to plug the hole. While they have been tipped to add a left-back, Mario Rui will return soon, and Mathias Olivera should be ready by mid-January.

RedBird Capital announced the appointment of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a partner across its sports, media, and entertainment portfolio and Milan advisor.

Milan Re-Hire Ibrahimovic While Pioli Hangs by a Thread

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Champions League, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

RedBird Capital announced the appointment of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as an operating partner across its sports, media, and entertainment portfolio. He will also serve as a senior advisor to the Milan ownership and management. The Newcastle United game could be decisive for Stefano Pioli's future.

Inter have earmarked Jeremy Toljan in case they need to make a move on the right flank. They don’t have long-term stability at the position.

Inter Take Notice of Good Showings of Sassuolo Fullback

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Inter have earmarked Jeremy Toljan in case they need to make a move on the right flank. They don’t have long-term stability at the position. Juan Cuadrado signed just a one-year contract and has been often hurt so far. They are trying to agree to a new deal with Denzel Dumfries.

Roma are holding their breath after Paulo Dybala went down in a heap against Fiorentina. The situation might not be as severe as it initially surmised.

Roma Cautiously Optimistic About Latest Dybala Injury

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Roma are holding their breath after Paulo Dybala went down in a heap against Fiorentina. The situation might not be as severe as it initially surmised. La Joya reassured the fans outside the stadium after the game: “I’m fine and better than expected, but let’s wait until tomorrow.”

Napoli and Lazio failed to win again in the last Serie A round, deepening their woes. The Biancocelesti have collected 21 points in 15 rounds.

Napoli and Lazio Enduring Statistically Pitiful Starts

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Serie A

Napoli and Lazio failed to win again in the most recent Serie A round, deepening their ongoing woes. The Biancocelesti have collected 21 points in 15 rounds: they had done worse just in 2015/2016 in their last 10 seasons. They finished eight that year,

Kalvin Phillips has been blatantly put on the market by Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, and Juventus are waiting in the wings.

Guardiola Ready to Get Rid of Long-Time Juventus Target

December 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester City, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Kalvin Phillips has been blatantly put on the market by Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, and Juventus are waiting in the wings to assess whether they could snap him up for very advantageous conditions. The gaffer spoke on the matter in his latest press conference.

Author: Enrico Passarella