Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

As widely anticipated, Juventus have been excluded from the 2023/2024 edition of the European Conference League. UEFA communicated its decision Friday

UEFA Unhappy with Mild Punishments Against Juventus

June 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Champions League, FIGC, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, UEFA

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina met with Aleksander Ceferin in Budapest in the lead-up to the Europa League final, where Sevilla bested Roma on PKs. The UEFA leader and his counterpart discussed a few topics, including the recent sanctions against Juventus. An exclusion from the cups would have been preferable.

Ivan Perisic hasn’t found what he was looking for at Tottenham, and he wouldn’t mind transferring back to Inter after a rough season.

Tottenham Winger Pressing to Make Inter Reunion Happen

June 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Tottenham, Transfer Market

Ivan Perisic hasn’t found what he was looking for at Tottenham, and he wouldn’t mind transferring back to Inter. The Spurs didn’t qualify for any European competition following a confusing season where they changed three coaches. Antonio Conte is no longer with them, and that's a big factor.

Juventus have quietly prolonged the contract of starting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. He’s now under contract with them until 2025.

Szczesny Gets a Year Added to His Juventus Contract

June 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Calciomercato, Empoli, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

ìJuventus have quietly prolonged the deal of starting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. He’s now tied to them until 2025. The parties didn’t need to negotiate. His contract envisaged an automatic clause to tack on a year once he reached a threshold of appearances. The Pole has been in Turin since 2017.

Claudio Lotito and Maurizio Sarri aren’t seeing eye to eye in the current transfer market window, as Lazio have been largely inactive in the past few weeks.

Lazio Sketching Plans for Grand Reinforcement Campaign

June 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Maurizio Sarri has won the internal power struggle with Igli Tare, who will leave Lazio after 15 years. Angelo Fabiani, who’s already at the club in a different role, will take over as the new sporting director. The gaffer will be central in the transfer market strategies.

Marcelo Brozovic has been routinely linked to an exit while he dealt with a few injuries in the first portion of the season.

Agent Downplays Rumours Concerning Brozovic Departure

June 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, La Liga, Newcastle United, PSG, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Marcelo Brozovic has been routinely linked to an exit while he dealt with a few injuries in the first portion of the season. The midfielder has progressively reclaimed a regular role in the past few months. His agent Giovanni Branchini stated that his exit wasn’t being discussed at the moment.

Tottenham won't automatically buy out Dejan Kulusevski, as the conditions for it to happen weren’t met. However, the Spurs are considering alternative ways.

Tottenham Could Still Keep Ahold of Juventus Loanee

June 1, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Leeds United, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Tottenham won't automatically buy out Dejan Kulusevski, as the conditions for it to happen weren’t met. However, the Spurs are considering alternative ways to redeem him, preferably with a discount. The Bianconeri are waiting for a formal communication about whether they will pick up their option to buy.

Napoli are regrouping after failing to sway one of their preferred options to replace Luciano Spalletti, Luis Enrique, at least for the time being.

New Twists and Turns in the Napoli Coaching Search

June 1, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bayern Munich, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Napoli, Porto, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Napoli are regrouping after failing to sway one of their preferred options to replace Luciano Spalletti, Luis Enrique, at least for the time being. President Aurelio De Laurentiis is playing on multiple tables. There doesn’t appear to be a clear favorite just yet amid a host of rumors.

Gerry Cardinale wishes to replicate the successes of the Silvio Berlusconi era at the helm of Milan and offered a peek behind the curtain at the club.

Milan to Have Fairly Sizeable Transfer Market Budget

June 1, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale took over Milan exactly a year ago. He could celebrate the anniversary with a rare appearance on the San Siro stands Sunday against Hellas Verona, but his travel plans aren’t set in stone just yet. The Rossoneri will be able to spend this summer.

Juventus believe Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will eventually let Cristiano Giuntoli go. However, they would have a readymade alternative.

Juventus Prepare Fallback if They Can’t Get Giuntoli

June 1, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Juventus, Marassi, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Juventus believe Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will eventually cave and let Cristiano Giuntoli go. However, they would have a readymade alternative if that didn’t happen. Rather than chasing after different executives, they’d promote Giovanni Manna. He has been managing the Next Gen squad in recent years,

Diogo Dalot was linked with a Serie A return for the umpteenth transfer market window in a row, but he ultimately extended his contract with Manchester United.

Man United Fullback and Real Madrid Winger Snub Serie A

June 1, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Aston Villa, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester United, PSG, Real Madrid, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Diogo Dalot was linked with a Serie A return for the umpteenth transfer market window in a row, but he ultimately extended his contract with Manchester United. He has officially prolonged his deal until 2028. Marco Asensio is unlikely to transfer to the Peninsula as well.

José Mourinho didn’t state he would keep coaching Roma after the Europa League final, but he reiterated that he wasn’t in talks with any other outfit.

Mourinho Refuses to Guarantee He Will Stay at Roma

June 1, 2023 Enrico Passarella Europa League, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

José Mourinho didn’t state he would keep coaching Roma following the loss on PKs against Sevilla, even though he reiterated that he wasn’t in talks with any other outfit: "“I want to continue here, but my players and I deserve more. I want to fight for them, but I’m tired."

Inter are eyeing Nacho Fernandez as a possible replacement for Milan Skriniar. The defender could potentially leave Real Madrid on a free.

Inter Pursuing Real Madrid Defender on Expiring Deal

May 31, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, La Liga, Real Madrid, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market, Villarreal

Inter are eyeing Nacho Fernandez as a possible replacement for Milan Skriniar. The defender could potentially leave Real Madrid on a free since his contract is up on June 30th. Les Merengues are tending to several pending extensions. Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos are in the same situation.

Author: Enrico Passarella