Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

With an hour and a half left in the window, Milan aren’t engaged in serious talks for another defender and will likely settle with bringing back Gabbia.

Milan Get a Little Closer to Bournemouth Defender

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bournemouth, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Lloyd Kelly is the top Milan target to shore up the defense following Pierre Kalulu’s major injury. He’s on an expiring contract. The recent conversations between his agents and Bournemouth haven’t been fruitful. President Bill Foley would prefer not to lose him for nothing but has set an unrealistic price tag.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has pressed pause on other candidates to see whether he really has a chance to appoint Gian Piero Gasperini.

Gasperini on Past Interest from Azzurri and Juventus

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri

Gian Piero Gasperini has completely repaired his relationship with Atalanta after a pair of dicey summers and is in for the long haul: "“My story with them is wonderful. I hope it’ll last a while longer. That was my initial wish considering the great results."

Luciano Spalletti has named the provisional 30-man Italy squad for the Euro 2024. Barring injuries, four players will be cut down later on.

Italy Risk Being Drawn in a Group of Death in Euro 2024

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Euro 2032, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Italy qualified for Euro 2024 by the skin of their teeth avoiding the playoff. Their title defense will likely face obstacles right away. UEFA changed the criteria for the pools of the draw. They are no longer based on the FIFA ranking but on how the teams fared during the qualifiers

Matteo Tognozzi left Juventus, where he spent six and a half years, serving as the head scout for most of his stint, to become Granada’s sporting director.

Ex-Juventus Scout Recalls Bellingham and Haaland Talks

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Transfer Market

Matteo Tognozzi recently left Juventus, where he spent six and a half years, serving as the head scout for the majority of his stint, to become Granada’s sporting director. He spilled the beans on some deals that didn’t come together in an interview, disclosing some big regrets.

Inter endured a big disappointment against Atleti on Wednesday, but their trip to Madrid was still reasonably productive for their hierarchy.

Inter Director Doesn’t Anticipate Any January Purchase

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Giuseppe Marotta stated that Inter wouldn’t be active in January and dished on the future of the club amid rumors about a potential sale and an upcoming deadline for a massive loan: “Our fans can be serene. The Zhang family cares deeply about the club, respecting its history and fans."

José Mourinho admitted to still be in the dark about his Roma future. His contract runs out in 2024 and there has been no traction in the extension talks.

Mourinho Uncertain About Whether He’ll Stay at Roma

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

José Mourinho admitted to still be in the dark about his Roma future. His contract runs out in 2024 and there has been no traction in the extension talks: "I don't know. I last spoke with Dan Friedkin ten minutes after the Lazio game but didn't discuss the renewal."

Lazio seemed to have convinced Daichi Kamada to exercise his option to prolong his contract, but the talks collapsed right before the deadline.

Marseille Show Interest in Disgruntled Lazio Newcomer

November 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Ligue 1, Marseille, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

The future of Daichi Kamada is becoming a hot topic at Lazio due to his peculiar contract. Moreover, some teams are starting to move to potentially get him in the future. The Japanese international repeatedly voiced his concerns about the lack of opportunities. Olympique Marseille inquired.

Michelangelo Minieri, the representative of Christian Kouamé, was recently spotted at the Inter HQ. He's out of contract in June 2024.

Inter Touch Base with Camp of Fiorentina Striker Kouamé

November 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Transfer Market

The market for future free agents is heating up, and teams and agents are setting up future moves. The players who’ll reach that status next June can sign a pre-contract with a new team from January on. Michelangelo Minieri, the representative of Christian Kouamé, was recently spotted at the Inter HQ

Milan are thinking about a reunion with Aster Vranckx, who wasn’t retained following a loan spell at the end of last season since he played sparingly.

Milan Contemplating Surprising Return in the Midfield

November 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Milan are thinking about a reunion with Aster Vranckx, who wasn’t retained following a loan spell at the end of last season since he played very limited minutes. The midfielder stayed put at Wolfsburg and has been playing well so far. He had notched just 235 minutes with the Rossoneri in 2022/2023.

More names are popping up on the Roma radar, as they are hard at work to find a new defender, and Arthur Theate is the latest to join the list.

Roma Tipped to Try Bringing In Rennes Defender Theate

November 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Ligue 1, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

More names are popping up on the Roma radar, as they are hard at work to find a new defender, and Arthur Theate is the latest to join the list. The Giallorossi and Rennes have mended fences following the Nemanja Matic deal. The veteran asked out abruptly to specifically last summer,

Juventus have had extensive discussions concerning the acquisition of Kalvin Phillips, but they will probably move in a different direction.

Juventus Might Have Lost Interest in Man City Misfit

November 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester City, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus have had extensive discussions concerning the acquisition of Kalvin Phillips, but they will move in a different direction to shore up their midfield. The Bianconeri were touted to be a likely landing spot since Manchester City didn’t want to send him to a rival.

The official announcement might not come soon, but Olivier Giroud has made up his mind about leaving Milan and joining Los Angeles FC.

Giroud Wants to Stay but No Real Talks with Milan Yet

November 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Olivier Giroud isn’t ready to pack up his bags and move to a less competitive league, but the negotiation to extend his expiring Milan contract is in its infant stages: "I’d like to continue here, and I think I have what it takes to do it."

Author: Enrico Passarella