Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Newcastle winger Saint-Maximin has long been linked to Serie A. Napoli have emerged as potential suitors, albeit amid strong competition from Saudi Arabia.

Milan Reportedly Interested in Newcastle Unhappy Winger

January 24, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Newcastle United, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan aren’t pursuing only Nicolò Zaniolo to bolster their frontline, as Allan Saint-Maximin has emerged as an option as well. The Newcastle winger is also a potential replacement for Rafael Leao since he’s primarily a left winger, but he can star in other offensive roles.

Francesco Acerbi sees himself staying put at the Stadio Meazza going forward despite his contract with the Nerazzurri expiring at the end of the season.

Inter Keen on Retaining Acerbi Past Initial Loan Spell

January 24, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Francesco Acerbi has exceeded expectations since joining Inter, as he has often played over Stefan De Vrij in the back, faring better than his teammate. Despite being shown the door at Lazio, the two sides had to bargain at length before striking a deal on a temporary transfer.

Federico Bonazzoli is eager to join Lazio, which conversely are in the hunt for a deputy striker. The forward isn’t a full-time starter at Salernitana.

Salernitana Center-Forward Pushing for Lazio Transfer

January 24, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Salernitana, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Federico Bonazzoli is eager to join Lazio, which conversely are in the hunt for a deputy striker. The forward isn’t a full-time starter at Salernitana, which are trying to add further options to their frontline. He'd have his first opportunity to play in a big team with the Biancocelesti.

With Nicolò Zaniolo asking out, Roma have begun looking for an attacker that could substitute him, as for instance Ziyech and Deulofeu.

Roma Start Chasing After Potential Zaniolo Replacements

January 24, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Tottenham, Transfer Market, Udinese

With Nicolò Zaniolo asking out, Roma have begun looking for an attacker that could substitute him. On top of Chelsea outcast Hakim Ziyech, the Giallorossi are eyeing Gerard Deulofeu, who just returned from a knee injury. Tottenham offered Lucas Mourinho during the talks for the Azzurri starlet.

With the easy win over Salernitana, Napoli have collected 50 points in the first half of the season, which has them on pace to collect 100 points.

Napoli and Spalletti Reach Milestones with Latest Win

January 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

With the easy win over Salernitana, Napoli have collected 50 points in the first half of the season, which has them on pace to finish with a triple-digit tally. They registered a new club record, but only by a hair, as Maurizio Sarri had collected 48 in 2017/2018.

Earlier in the year, Materazzi echoed how difficult it will be in Paris for Skriniar to feel the same affection and passion the Interista show him.

Skriniar Possibly Set for Final Inter Match at San Siro

January 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, PSG, Serie A, Transfer Market

Milan Skriniar might play his last home game with Inter later today versus Empoli. The defender is poised to join PSG, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll do it in January already or at the end of the season on a free transfer.

Juventus director Francesco Calvo once again came to Paul Pogba’s defense as fresh rumors about a possible split resurfaced after his latest injury.

Juventus Opt to Promote from Within Following Sanctions

January 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Juventus won’t hire outside executives for the time being, but they restructured their staff after Federico Cherubini was handed a 16-month suspension in the capital gains trial. Francesco Calvo has been promoted to chief football officer, which was Fabio Paratici's previous role. He worked also at Barcelona and Roma.

Agent Federico Pastorello will have his hands full in January and next summer as a few of his clients might transfer or need to get their contracts renewed.

Agent Pastorello Discusses Future of De Vrij and Meret

January 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Empoli, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Newcastle United, Serie A, Transfer Market

Agent Federico Pastorello weighed in on Stefan De Vrij and the ongoing extension talks with Inter, which have ramped up in recent days amid the uncertainty tied to Milan Skriniar, and touched on Alex Meret and Empoli starlet Tommaso Baldanzi, who are in high demand thanks to their stellar campaigns.

Sassuolo exec Giovanni Carnevali addressed the incessant transfer market buzz surrounding their centerpieces before the draw versus Monza.

Sassuolo Director Reiterates that Stars Won’t Leave

January 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Sassuolo exec Giovanni Carnevali addressed the incessant transfer market buzz surrounding their centerpieces before the draw versus Monza: "We have strong individualities, but we have to prove it on the pitch. The most important players, especially in a moment like this, won’t move till the end of the season.”

Angel Di Maria commented on the entertaining draw with Atalanta and what’s going on at Juventus: "We collected an important point."

Di Maria Committed to Juventus Despite Recent Events

January 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Angel Di Maria commented on the entertaining draw with Atalanta and what’s going on at Juventus: "It’s not easy to suddenly be at 22 points. It’s not yet impossible to finish in the top four. The club has a winning mentality, and we can climb the standings only through hard work."

Juventus have been deducted 15 points in the standings as a result of the re-opening of the first plusvalenze trial, for which they were acquitted.

Juventus Handed Massive Sanction in Plusvalenze Trial

January 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Juventus have been deducted 15 points in the standings as a result of the re-opening of the first part of the plusvalenze trial, for which they were originally acquitted last May. The Court of Appeal of the Federation went beyond the requests of prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè, who had demanded a nine-point punishment.

Milan were expected to meet with the Rafael Leao camp shortly after the Supercoppa and at least at some point in January, but that may not be the case.

Extension Talks Between Milan and Leao Go Backwards

January 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan were expected to meet with the Rafael Leao camp shortly after the Supercoppa, but it doesn’t appear that will be the case. Director Paolo Maldini recently stated that they don’t need a summit to make progress on his extensions, but the talks have ground to a halt lately.

Author: Enrico Passarella