Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Lecce midfielder Morten Hjulmand leaves Italy to pursue his development in Portugal, as country giants Sporting Lisbon have signed him on a five-year deal.

Milan Eyeing Up Two Serie A Options for Their Midfield

June 19, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Hellas Verona, Italian Football, Lecce, Monza, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Milan need reinforcements in the midfield and are after two specialists, Morten Hjulmand and Adrien Tameze. The Rossoneri are decimated at the position since Ismael Bennacer will miss a few months with a knee injury. In addition, backups Aster Vranckx and Tiemoué Bakayoko were on loan and won’t stay.

Juventus have been attached to a few names to bolster their right flank, but some changes could take place on the opposite one as well.

Juventus Contemplating Some Moves on the Left Wing Too

June 19, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Empoli, Italian Football, Juventus, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus have been attached to a few names to bolster their right flank, but some changes could take place on the opposite one as well. They technically have three options already: Filip Kostic, Samuel Iling-Junior, and Andrea Cambiaso, who will be back from Bologna and assessed by Massimiliano Allegri.

Italian-Turkish defender Rayyan Baniya, who possesses an Italian passport and stars for Karagümrük, has been linked to Serie A sides including Udinese.

Napoli Take an Interest in Fatih Karagumruk Defender

June 19, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Torino, Transfer Market

Napoli might find Kim Min-Jae’s heir in the same place where they acquired the South Korean ace, Turkey, as they have laid eyes on Rayyan Baniya. He has been starring for Fatih Karagumruk since 2021 after joining from Hellas Verona. He'd like to return to Italy.

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 Refuse to Entertain Chelsea Attempt for Maignan

June 19, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Chelsea, Italian Football, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Mike Maignan is attracting some interest, but Milan have no plans to part ways with their goalkeeper. Chelsea have been rumored to be keen on the Frenchman, but it appears that not even a giant bid could make the Rossoneri wobble. He was discontent with Paolo Maldini's ousting.

Roma sold budding midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic to Ajax in a quick deal Sunday. More exits are expected to come in the next few days.

Roma Eager to Finalize More Departures in Short Order

June 19, 2023 Enrico Passarella Ajax, Bournemouth, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Roma sold budding midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic to Ajax in a quick deal Sunday. More exits are expected to come in the next few days. The Giallorossi need to rake in about €30M by the end of June because of a Financial Fair Play-related deadline.

Timothy Castagne has emerged as a strong option to fill the opening on the right flank at Juventus. The wingback has reportedly okayed the move.

Juventus Zero In on Leicester City Fullback Castagne

June 19, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Leicester, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Timothy Castagne has emerged as a strong option to fill the opening on the right flank at Juventus. The wingback has reportedly okayed the move. The Bianconeri are working to lower the request by Leicester City. The Foxes demanded €15M in the early talks. He played at Atalanta in the past.

Napoli bought out Giovanni Simeone from Hellas Verona Thursday, but he’s not a lock to stay put, as Lazio continue to be keen.

Lazio Still Interested in Now Napoli-Owned Marksman

June 16, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Salernitana, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Napoli bought out Giovanni Simeone from Hellas Verona Thursday, but he’s not a lock to stay put, as Lazio continue to be keen on adding him to their frontline. The Azzurri paid €15.5M in total to acquire El Cholito. Pesidents Aurelio De Laurentiis and Claudio Lotito confabulated about him.

Inter are assembling their defense for next season, which won’t feature Milan Skriniar. The process will start with keeping two of their own.

Inter Hard at Work to Put Together Their New Defense

June 16, 2023 Enrico Passarella Cagliari, Calciomercato, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Transfer Market

Inter are assembling their defense for next season, which won’t feature Milan Skriniar. The process will start with keeping two of their own, Stefan De Vrij and Francesco Acerbi. Their agent Federico Pastorello paid their hierarchy a visit Thursday and talked to the press afterward.

Juventus plot to onboard a pair of newcomers to rebuild their right wing and have shortlisted Real Madrid reserve Alvaro Odriozola.

Juventus Take Interest in a Second Real Madrid Player

June 16, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, La Liga, Real Madrid, Serie A, Spezia, Transfer Market

Juventus plot to onboard a pair of newcomers to rebuild their right wing and, after examining Lucas Vazquez, they have shortlisted also his Real Madrid teammate Alvaro Odriozola. The Bianconeri chased after him last summer as well, but he ultimately stayed put. He played little last season.

Inter have had multiple meetings to set up the purchase of Davide Frattesi from Sassuolo and reached an agreement in principle.

Inter Break Away from Competition in the Frattesi Race

June 16, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Newcastle United, Premier League, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Inter have had multiple meetings to set up the purchase of Davide Frattesi from Sassuolo. While they have an agreement in principle with the Neroverdi and the midfielder, they’ll have to wait to finalize it. His arrival hinges on completing a profitable sale, not necessarily in the same role.

Rudi Garcia agreed to a two-year contract with an option with Napoli and will earn €3M per season. Aurelio De Laurentiis didn't want to wait any longer.

How Napoli Came to Their Surprising Coaching Decision

June 16, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Rudi Garcia agreed to a two-year contract with an option with Napoli and will earn €3M per season. The wages would have changed, but president Aurelio De Laurentiis had prepared the same deal for all the candidates. The gaffer is back in Italy after seven years abroad.

Juventus haven’t redeemed Arkadiusz Milik, but his future is highly likely to still be in Turin. The Bianconeri are in advanced talks to purchase him.

Juventus Making Strides Toward Acquisition of Milik

June 16, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Marseille, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus haven’t redeemed Arkadiusz Milik, but his future is highly likely to still be in Turin. The Bianconeri are in advanced talks to make his transfer permanent, if not immediately through the formula of a loan with an obligation to buy triggered by easy conditions.

Author: Enrico Passarella