Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Samir Handanovic has yet to ink the contract that will see him return at Inter in a different role, but he participated in an event hosted by the Curva.

Veteran Goalkeeper Teases Imminent Inter Comeback

September 15, 2023 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Samir Handanovic has yet to ink the contract that will see him return at Inter in a different role, but he participated in an event hosted by the Nerazzurri’s Curva Nord on Thursday night and implied that his comeback is a fait accompli: "Thank you for your affection over the years."

Mario Giuffredi attacked Claudio Lotito and the Lazio hierarchy for their inaction about the extension of Mattia Zaccagni but took it back.

Zaccagni Agent Partially Walks Back Rant Against Lotito

September 15, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Mario Giuffredi attacked Claudio Lotito and the Lazio hierarchy for their inaction about the extension of Mattia Zaccagni. The agent decided to take back part of his fiery tirade: “I’d like to make some clarifications about my interview, which was portrayed in misleading ways."

Radja Nainggolan never hid his affinity for Roma even after leaving and reached out to the team recently to offer his services,

Mercurial Former Star Tries to Arrange Roma Reunion

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Transfer Market

Radja Nainggolan never hid his affinity for Roma even after leaving and reached out to the team recently to offer his services, as he’s currently out of contract. He’d take a minimum salary, but the Giallorossi didn’t open to such a solution.

Atalanta icon Papu Gomez is set to return back to Serie A with Monza. Gomez recently parted ways with Sevilla in the summer and has been a free agent since.

Weak Free Agent Pool Unlikely to Entice Juventus to Add

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus have the option of replacing Paul Pogba with a free agent, but the pool isn’t exactly stacked. Udinese just scooped arguably the most interesting one, Roberto Pereyra. There are a few Serie A veterans currently without a team, but they aren't very alluring.

Things are heating up ahead of the weekend, with the capital derby. Sarri had claimed Roma would be playing a ‘friendly’ in their encounter against Praha.

Roma and Mourinho to Decide on Contract Relatively Soon

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

José Mourinho started the season as a lame duck, as his contract with Roma runs out in June 2024. He and the club aren’t planning to decide his future only down to the wire. The call will likely come in the next three or four months.

Yunus Musah has played little so far because he joined Milan later relative to other newcomers and due to the level of performance of their midfielders.

Milan Newcomer Tested in New Role By His National Team

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Yunus Musah has played little so far because he joined Milan later relative to other newcomers and due to the level of performance of their midfielders so far. He has starred in a host of positions at Valencia before transferring to Italy. A recent one could help him and the Rossoneri.

Leonardo Bonucci is inching closer to his Serie A return, as Roma are advancing in the negotiations to add him from Union Berlin.

Bonucci Attacks Juventus: “They Said False Things”

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bundesliga, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Union Berlin

Leonardo Bonucci opened up about his messy exit from Juventus, openly criticizing Massimiliano Allegri and the management for how they handled it. He recently sued the team for damages: “I’ve heard and read things that aren’t true from the club and the coach."

Yerry Mina suffered a muscular injury in a recent match against Chile and risks missing a lot of time. The defender joined Fiorentina on a free move.

Fiorentina Assessing Options After Heavy Defensive Loss

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Yerry Mina suffered a muscular injury in a recent match against Chile and risks missing a lot of time. The defender joined Fiorentina on a free move last summer. He had yet to debut in Serie A due to subpar conditioning. He might not be ready before two months

PSG will face the daunting task of replacing Kylian Mbappé in the summer and have shown interest in two Serie A stars, Victor Osimhen and Marcus Thuram.

Real Madrid Waiting in the Wings for Napoli Marksman

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Liga, Napoli, Real Madrid, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Florentino Perez wishes to bring an elite striker to Real Madrid in 2024, and, if Kylian Mbappé doesn’t join, Victor Osimhen is next on the list. His nose for the goal is considered functional to their technical project. Los Galacticos lost Karim Benzema last summer but didn't replace him.

Paul Pogba has formally asked for the counter-analysis by the 72-hour deadline. The sample that tested positive for testosterone will be looked at again.

Pogba Files Request for More Tests on Positive Sample

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Paul Pogba has formally asked for the counter-analysis by the 72-hour deadline. He won’t take new exams. The sample that tested positive for testosterone will be looked at again. It’ll happen in the next five days. The results should come within a week.

Lazio will bid adieu to Felipe Anderson but not to Mattia Zaccagni despite the malcontent voiced by his agent in recent weeks.

Lazio Star Agent Torches Brass over Delay on Renewal

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Mattia Zaccagni has been tipped to prolong his Lazio contract for a while following a glorious season, but the parties have yet to come to an understanding. His agent Mario Giuffredi fired a warning shot at Claudio Lotito: "We talked for eight monts."

The future of Paulo Dybala is in doubt due to the affordable €12M release clause present in his contract, but he’s in no rush to leave Roma.

Dybala Drops Hint on His Future, Dishes on Roma Start

September 14, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Paulo Dybala once again professed his love for Roma during an event. He hailed the warmth of their fans in particular: "“After such an important year and a big change for me, receiving all this affection provided me with incredible support. I didn’t expect it."

Author: Enrico Passarella