Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Milan came close to signing Mehdi Taremi last summer, but something got lost in communication with his camp at some point, and the deal fell through.

Milan Get Dunked on by Porto President over Summer Deal

November 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Porto, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Milan came close to signing Mehdi Taremi last summer, but something got lost in communication with his camp at some point, and the deal fell through. Porto president Pinto Da Costa had a different recollection of the events, suggesting the clubs were never on the same page on the numbers.

José Mourinho and Roma might be in limbo until the end of the season, but the coach might not wait that long before pursuing a different landing spot.

Mourinho More in a Hurry than Roma Brass on Future

November 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Newcastle United, Premier League, Real Madrid, Roma, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

José Mourinho and Roma could be in limbo until the end of the season, but the coach might not wait that long before pursuing a different landing spot. The Special One confirmed there’s no negotiation to prolong his contract at this stage. He'll start looking around in February.

José Miguel Lopez Catalan has admitted that Juan Miranda will probably head elsewhere, as Milan are making strides to sign him in a Bosman move.

Milan Slow Down Their Pursuit of Spanish Fullback

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

Milan have been chasing after Juan Miranda for a few months, but it’s not yet certain he’ll end up in Serie A, either in January or in a Bosman move in June. He’s top of the list to back up Theo Hernandez, but there's no agreeement yet.

Nicolò Barella might end up putting pen to paper and renew his Inter contract before Lautaro Martinez does the same, as the talks are easier.

Inter Quickly Closing In on Barella Contract Extension

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

While other extensions have taken center stage in recent weeks, Inter have been quietly working on coming to terms with Nicolò Barella, making strides. He’s already under contract till 2026, but the club wants to prolong it. The parties could put pen to paper in early 2024 or in the spring.

Napoli are evaluating whether to sign a midfielder in January since they’ll lose Frank Anguissa for a month due to AFCON.

Napoli Shortlist Talented Trio to Bolster the Midfield

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Ligue 1, Marseille, Monza, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market, Udinese

Napoli are evaluating whether to sign a midfielder in January since they’ll lose Frank Anguissa for a month due to AFCON. They are keeping tabs on a few talents and could strike if the price is right. They intended to do that last summer, but Al-Ahli beat them for Veiga.

Torino almost sent Alessandro Buongiorno to Atalanta last summer, and they’ll face a bigger threat in 2024, as Inter and Juventus have earmarked him.

Torino to Repel Inter and Juve Advances for Buongiorno

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

Torino almost sent Alessandro Buongiorno to Atalanta last summer, and they’ll face bigger threats in 2024, as Inter and Juventus have earmarked him for the future. The Granata president Urbano Cairo commented: "We have a personal understanding, so I no longer think about selling him.”

Lazio might touch up their midfield in January, and Maurizio Sarri has indicated Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson as a priority target.

Lazio Also Interested in Blooming Bologna Midfielder

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bologna, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Lazio might touch up their midfield in January, and Maurizio Sarri has indicated Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson as a priority target. He’d contribute to compensating for the departure of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who was replaced with multiple players but with different characteristics.

Andrea Colpani is one of the most buzzed-about players in Serie A, as he has scored 6 goals in the first 12 matches but Monza want to keep him.

Monza Director Takes in Demand Colpani Off the Market

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

Andrea Colpani is one of the most buzzed-about players in Serie A, as he has scored 6 goals in the first 12 matches. While he’s generating a ton of interest, Monza have clear plans for him, and perhaps not just for January, as their exec Michele Franco announced.

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.

Author: Enrico Passarella