Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are in talks with Roma to try signing Nicolò Zaniolo. The transfer market in Turkey is open for a couple more days.

Roma Outcast Zaniolo Finds Pair of Suitors in Turkey

February 6, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Galatasaray, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are in talks with Roma to try signing Nicolò Zaniolo. The transfer market in Turkey is open for a couple more days. Their offers haven’t met the Giallorossi’s request so far, but the negotiations will continue. The attacker has been frozen out after refusing a late move to Bournemouth.

Milan Skriniar might have played his final game with the Inter colors as he went under the knife to address his lingering injury.

PSG Not Super Determined to Sign Inter Defender Late

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

PSG tried to get Milan Skriniar in January, but they didn’t exactly lay siege to do so. Their offer stopped short of what Inter demanded. The defender will ultimately finish the season in Milan and try to leave on good terms. The Ligue 1 side wasn't too insistent on deadline day.

Juventus managed to keep ahold of Adrien Rabiot, but an addition to the midfield can’t be excluded, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is still on their radar.

Lazio Set to Reprise Negotiation with Star Midfielder

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Newcastle United, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Despite some early rumors, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was never close to leaving Juventus in January. The club will have a few more months to try agreeing with him on a new contract. His current one expires in 2024, making his summer departure a foregone conclusion without an extension.

The Juventus ownership doesn’t plan to pour money into the club for the next three years amid their ongoing tribulations.

Juventus Obliged to Tighten the Belt on the Market

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

The Juventus ownership doesn’t plan to pour money into the club for the next three years amid their ongoing tribulations. The decision was put in writing during the mid-January meeting of the shareholders, where the new board of directors was installed. The Bianconeri will have to self-finance for a while.

Luciano Spalletti rallied the Napoli fans while interrupting the presentation of goalie Pierluigi Gollini. "We do everything for the club and the city."

Spalletti Makes Plea to Napoli Fans, Stresses Education

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Luciano Spalletti rallied the Napoli fans while interrupting the presentation of Pierluigi Gollini: "Their support is more important than what I can say on the pitch. They have to be close to us right now. Our group does everything for the city, the jersey, the team, and its history."

Inter and Mattia Darmian have agreed to add a year to his contract, which now runs until 2024. The versatile defender has been at the club since 2020.

Inter Strike Deal to Re-Up Contract of Veteran Defender

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Inter and Mattia Darmian have agreed to add a year to his contract, which now runs until 2024. The versatile defender has been at the club since 2020, initially on loan, and was eventually bought out for €3.3M from Parma. He has accumulated 91 appearances since joining.

Manuel Locatelli has been one of the most consistent Juventus players this season, and he was stellar in the narrow victory over Lazio.

Allegri Heaps High Praise on Locatelli after Lazio Win

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Manuel Locatelli has been one of the most consistent Juventus players this season, and he was stellar in the narrow victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia’s Round of Eight Thursday. Coach Massimiliano Allegri complimented the midfielder afterward: "He never gives up and has the clubs’ DNA in him."

Paul Pogba was on the bench for the recent Monza game, but he won’t be available Thursday against Lazio due to a thigh problem.

Juventus Growing Irritated with Pogba over Injury Woes

February 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Paul Pogba was on the bench for the recent Monza game, but he won’t be available Thursday against Lazio due to a thigh problem. It should be a minor one, as the tests ruled out strains, but Juventus are getting frustrated with the absences of the midfielder.

Jakub Kiwior joined Arsenal in a January transfer after being pursued by all of the top Serie A sides. Neither seriously moved for him in the past window.

Napoli Closest to Ex-Spezia Prodigy Before Arsenal Move

February 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Jakub Kiwior joined Arsenal in a quick January transfer after being pursued by almost all of the top Serie A sides. Neither seriously moved for him in the past window. His agent Sasha Baranov commented on how his sudden departure came to be: "We didn’t think things would happen so quickly."

Milan will have one big piece back in short order, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on the verge of returning, while the reports about Mike Maignan are mixed.

Milan Receive Mixed News from Their Ever-Busy Infirmary

February 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan will have one big piece back in short order, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on the verge of returning, while the reports about Mike Maignan are mixed. The veteran striker underwent knee reconstructive surgery in the summer. He should return either on February 10th against Torino or a few days later.

Federico Chiesa was sidelined by a muscular hiccup for the Monza game, but he’ll be back and likely start today in Coppa Italia versus Lazio.

Chiesa Comments on Long Recovery and Point Deduction

February 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Federico Chiesa was sidelined by a muscular hiccup for the Monza game, but he’ll be back and likely start today in Coppa Italia versus Lazio. The winger talked about his lengthy recovery from an ACL tear, the recent performances, and the sanction handed to Juventus in the capital gains trial.

Sofyan Amrabat has likely played his last game with Fiorentina in Prague in the loss against West Ham in the European Conference League final.

Fiorentina Ace Quickly Reinstated After Barcelona Links

February 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Sofyan Amrabat was initially excluded from the squad list for the Coppa Italia game versus Torino, but he was later added after apologizing to the teammates and the coach. The midfielder had asked to join Barcelona on deadline day, but the move didn't go through mostly due to its timing.

Author: Enrico Passarella