Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Mehdi Taremi will be officially unveiled as a new Inter player after his Porto contract formally runs out on June 30th. He spoke about the move.

Porto Marksman Emerges as a Possible Option for Milan

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Calciomercato, Italian Football, La Liga, Porto, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Milan have earmarked Mehdi Taremi to deputize Olivier Giroud, as the talks with Atletico Madrid for Alvaro Morata aren’t going well. The Rossoneri will likely have to activate his release clause to get him, as the Colchoneros have been stiff during the early conversations. The Iranian wouldn't be cheap either, though.

After completing the Jesper Lindstrom deal, Napoli are unlikely to add new players in the two final days of the 2023 summer transfer market window.

De Laurentiis Discusses Giuntoli, Osimhen, and More

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis touched on a few matters while unveiling their new kits. He lambasted Cristiano Giuntoli after he professed his Juventus fandom: "“I didn’t expect it at all. It blindsided me. If I had noticed it beforehand, I would have gotten rid of him earlier.”

Roma are in advanced talks to sign Rasmus Kristensen from Leeds United, but Rick Karsdorp has no intention of leaving and is blocking a new arrival.

Roma Wing-Back Reluctant to Depart Despite Rumors

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Leeds United, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Roma are in advanced talks to sign Rasmus Kristensen from Leeds United, but Rick Karsdorp has no intention of leaving and is blocking a new arrival in the same role. The fullback has struggled to find suitors also because he’s not in any rush to move.

Napoli have been attached to multiple options to replace Kim Min-Jae, but they haven’t gone all-in on any of them just yet.

Bayern Munich Haven’t Activated Kim Release Clause Yet

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bayern Munich, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Stuttgart, Tottenham, Transfer Market

Napoli have been attached to multiple options to replace Kim Min-Jae, but they haven’t gone all-in on any of them just yet. One of the reasons, other than the difficulties in coming to terms with the respective teams, is that the South Korean hasn’t formally left.

Al-Hilal have lodged a large offer for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and he and the club are seriously mulling it. The Saudi club has met Lazio’s price tag.

Al-Hilal Put Forth Very Rich Bid for Milinkovic-Savic

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Al-Hilal have lodged a large offer for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and he and the club are seriously mulling it. The Saudi club has met Lazio’s price tag, something the other suitors have been unwilling to do this summer. The player will have the final say on the matter but is inclined to accept.

Sebastien Ledure, the agent of Romelu Lukaku, is slated for a first formal meeting with Chelsea to negotiate his return to Inter.

Intermediary to Handle Talks Between Inter and Chelsea

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Sebastien Ledure, the agent of Romelu Lukaku, is slated for a first formal meeting with Chelsea to negotiate his return to Inter. Despite the numerous rumors about the negotiation, it has yet to kick off concretely. The Nerazzurri are hoping it won’t drag despite a sizeable request.

After substantial inquiries with Porto, Milan have decided to prioritize Samuel Chukwueze over Mehdi Taremi to shore up their frontline.

Milan Struggling to Agree to Fee for Villarreal Starlet

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Liga, Serie A, Transfer Market, Villarreal One comment

Milan haven’t stopped pursuing Samuel Chukwueze despite coming to terms with Chelsea for Christian Pulisic. However, they are having trouble concurring with Villarreal on his valuation. The Spanish side is resisting even though the youngster has only a year on his contract. The winger has agreed to the move.

Juventus are open to partying ways with Dusan Vlahovic, but there has been no rich bid for him yet. The Bianconeri aren’t shopping him around.

Vlahovic For Sale but the Offers Have Been Lacking

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Juventus, Ligue 1, Premier League, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus are open to partying ways with Dusan Vlahovic, but there has been no rich bid for him yet. The Bianconeri aren’t shopping him around and would be happy to keep him if nobody met their asking price. PSG, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea are the most interested suitors at this stage.

Manchester United are expected to go after Rasmus Hojlund following the completion of the André Onana deal. The distance with Inter has narrowed.

Atalanta Starlet Keen on Manchester United Transfer

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester United, Napoli, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Manchester United are expected to go after Rasmus Hojlund following the completion of the André Onana deal. The distance with Inter has narrowed, and the agreement could be struck later this week. Instead, the talks with Atalanta will be more challenging. The Red Devils offered €45M in their opening proposal.

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 Set to Stay at Roma Despite Chelsea Advances

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Paulo Dybala has been linked to Chelsea in the last few days, as confirmed also by Thiago Silva, who tried to convince him to join. However, his transfer is very unlikely. He returned to Italy Monday to reprise training and offered reassuring remarks to the press at the airport.

Lazio are close to acquiring Milos Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar, although some work remains to be done in the talks between clubs for the transfer to materialize.

Lazio Zero In on AZ Alkmaar Talent for the Left Flank

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella AZ Alkmaar, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market One comment

Lazio are close to acquiring Milos Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar, although some work remains to be done in the talks between clubs for the transfer to materialize. The fullback has reached an agreement on personal terms with the Biancocelesti. The gap between offer and request isn't too wide.

Paul Pogba is headed for some tests after picking up a thigh injury in the Empoli game. He managed to finish it after coming off the bench.

Pogba Fuels Speculations with Trip to Saudi Arabia

July 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Transfer Market

Paul Pogba spent the weekend in Saudi Arabia, lending credence to the rumors about a strong bid by Al-Ittihad. According to local sources, he visited the facilities of the team that has already lured Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté this summer. He joked about the transfer with some local fans.

Author: Enrico Passarella