Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Mike Maignan returned to form in the Napoli clash in Round 24 after some subpar performances for his standard. Milan have never doubted him.

Milan Unbothered by Bayern Munich Interest in Maignan

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Mike Maignan is reportedly on Bayern Munich’s radar and previously drew an offer from Chelsea, but Milan don’t intend to lose more top players after Sandro Tonali. Instead, they are set to open talks to extend his contract, which currently expires in 2026. The goalkeeper has been deemed untouchable.

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

Inter Mulling Making a Splash to Solidify Their Defense

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Atalanta, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Tottenham, Transfer Market

Inter might use the budget currently destined for the attack to improve their defense should Marko Arnautovic be their lone acquisition upfront. Instead, if they invested in Mehdi Taremi, they’d bring in somebody on loan with an option to buy in the back. The Nerazzurri have a few names in their crosshairs.

Juventus have started thinking about going after Zielinski for a potential Bosman addiction considering the June 30 expiration date.

Napoli Staple Zielinski Inches Closer to Al-Ahli Move

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Napoli are going full-throttle for Gabri Veiga because they expect Piotr Zielinski to depart soon, as Al-Ahli stepped up their pursuit. The Azzurri rejected a pair of offers, but the Saudi suitors will likely meet their request soon enough. The Partenopei asked for a €30M fee and should soon be offered as much.

Inter, Juventus, and Atalanta have been pursuing Carlos Augusto, but they’d have to shell out a hefty sum to lure him away from Monza due to a clause.

Serie A Giants Need to Cough Up the Money for Monza Ace

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Monza, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Inter, Juventus, and Atalanta have been pursuing Carlos Augusto, but they’d have to shell out a hefty sum to lure him away from Monza due to a precedent clause. The Brianzoli owe 40 percent of the fee of his sale to Corinthians. The Biancorossi won’t let go of their star for cheap.

Atalanta will meet again with the representatives of Charles De Ketelaere to further discuss his arrival after some issues.

Atalanta Schedule New Round of Talks with Milan Reject

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Atalanta will meet again with the representatives of Charles De Ketelaere to further discuss his arrival after significant problems arose in the last few days. There’s more work to be done, but the parties resumed talking and made some progress Thursday. The issues are mostly economic.

Leonardo Bonucci is leaning toward accepting the offer to join Union Berlin. Only a late and decisive move from Lazio could change the outcome

Split Between Bonucci and Juventus Takes an Ugly Turn

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Transfer Market

Juventus and Leonardo Bonucci are at loggerheads, and the divorce could spill over to the courtrooms. The entourage of the defender formally asked for him to be reinstated with a certified email. The response by the execs was immediate. They said it was a technical decision.

After some tension in the past few days, Napoli have mended fences with Mario Rui, who will soon add one extra year to his contract.

Napoli Patch Things Up with Veteran, Prepare Renewal

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

After some tension in the past few days, Napoli have mended fences with Mario Rui, who will soon add one extra year to his contract, which will run until 2026. The fullback had contemplated leaving while the negotiation was stalling, but the issues have been sorted.

Roma tried to overtake Fiorentina at the last corner to purchase Lucas Beltran, but he’s indeed headed to the Viola to replace Arthur Cabral.

Fiorentina Hold Off Roma, Win Race to Onboard Beltran

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, River Plate, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Roma tried to overtake Fiorentina at the last corner to purchase Lucas Beltran, but he’s indeed headed to the Viola. The Giallorossi worked primarily on the player’s front by offering a larger salary. But their bid to River Plate was lower. He's replacing Arthur Cabral.

Lazio have officially onboarded Niccolò Rovella from Juventus but might not stop and have Matteo Guendozi and Mats Wieffer in their crosshairs.

Talks Between Lazio and Juventus Go Back and Forth

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Serie A, Transfer Market One comment

Juventus and Lazio didn’t finalize their agreement for Luca Pellegrini due to late discrepancies about the final figures and because the Biancocelesti are trying to expand the negotiation to Nicolò Rovella. The Old Lady didn’t shut the door but demanded an adequate fee. The two transfers are intertwined.

Inter are walking away from their pursuit of Folarin Balogun, who has become too expensive, and will focus on different targets.

Inter Tipped to Abandon Chase of Arsenal Talent Balogun

August 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Bologna, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Porto, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Inter are walking away from their pursuit of Folarin Balogun, who has become too expensive, and will focus on different targets to bolster their attack in the final weeks of the window. The Nerazzurri have had the Arsenal prodigy atop their wish list for a while, but they couldn’t reach an agreement.

Even though coming to terms on a new contract has proven challenging, Aurelio De Laurentiis believes Victor Osimhen isn’t leaving anywhere this summer:

De Laurentiis Speaks on Osimhen, Veiga Gets Closer

August 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, La Liga, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market One comment

Even though coming to terms on a new contract has proven challenging, Aurelio De Laurentiis believes Victor Osimhen isn’t leaving this summer: “He will stay. He has two more years on his deal. Where should he go? Contracts exist and should always be respected by both parties."

Bayern Munich are seeking a goalie due to Manuel Neuer’s precarious health and have Mike Maignan on their radar for the position.

Milan Ace Goalkeeper Lands on Bayern Munich Wish List

August 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Bayern Munich are seeking a goalie following the departure of Yann Sommer and due to Manuel Neuer’s precarious health and have Mike Maignan on their radar for the position. The veteran might need a few more months to recover from his lower leg injury. Sven Ulreich is currently their only option.

Author: Enrico Passarella