Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Marcelo Brozovic has joined Al-Nassr. The Saudi team officialized his arrival through a tweet, ending a lengthy transfer saga.

Blockbuster Inter and Barcelona Swap Still on the Table

January 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta outright dismissed the notion of a potential Brozovic-Kessié swap with Barcelona, but the two clubs will keep probing it in the next few days. The one involving Memphis Depay and Joaquin Correa has collapsed as the Dutchman prefers joining Atletico Madrid.

Salernitana changed their mind and recalled Davide Nicola to helm the team. The coach was fired following the 2-8 romp versus Atalanta.

Salernitana Walk Back Decision to Change Their Coach

January 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Salernitana, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, West Ham

Salernitana changed their mind and will recall Davide Nicola to helm the team. The coach was fired following the 2-8 romp versus Atalanta. President Danilo Iervolino and sporting director Morgan De Sanctis inquired about other gaffers. However, they ultimately stuck with the one that was already under contract.

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.

Former Juventus Brass Formally Bid Farewell to the Team

January 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Andrea Agnelli and Pavel Nedved participated in their final meeting of the board before leaving the club: "European football needs reforms or the Premier League will attract all the best talent and marginalize the others. It’s clear that some don’t want change to maintain their position of privilege."

Cadiz have tried to sign Luis Alberto in January but, while the midfielder remains keen on moving to La Liga, it probably won’t happen soon.

Luis Alberto Dishes on His Future, Lazio Lose Immobile

January 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Salernitana, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Torino, Transfer Market

Cadiz have tried to sign Luis Alberto in January but, while the midfielder remains keen on moving to La Liga, it probably won’t happen in the current window: "The coach and I talked after the break and cleared the air. We aren’t best friends, but we are on normal terms."

Adrien Rabiot said that he hadn’t made a decision on his Juventus future but alluded to a key factor the Bianconeri would struggle to meet.

Juventus Meet Agent of Midfielder on Expiring Contract

January 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

The Juventus brass had a meeting with Veronique Rabiot, the mother and agent of Adrien, to start discussing an extension more concretely. He’s out of contract at the end of the season. Despite his lofty demands and multiple suitors, the Bianconeri will try to keep ahold of him.

Despite his repeated dismissals, Cristiano Giuntoli remains one of the top options for Juventus to bolster their front office.

Napoli Official Giuntoli Dishes on Ounahi and Osimhen

January 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bari, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Leeds United, Leicester, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli took stock of his team’s moves before the surprising loss on PKs versus Cremonese in Coppa Italia Tuesday: "We have never been particularly optimistic about signing Azzedine Ounahi. He’s a good footballer, but we are more focused on our squad and doing well day-to-day."

Roma and Nicolò Zaniolo are unlikely to agree to an extension anytime soon, which fuels speculations about a possible January exit.

Juventus, Milan, and EPL Clubs Eye Struggling Roma Star

January 17, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Newcastle United, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Roma and Nicolò Zaniolo are unlikely to agree to an extension anytime soon, which fuels speculations about a possible January exit. There are no ongoing negotiations, but a few teams would be interested if he were indeed available. If he were to move soon, he'd likely transfer to England.

Paulo Dybala chiseled his mark amongst the Serie A cream of the crop after netting his 10th Serie A goal of the season in the 3-0 win against Sampdoria.

Roma and Dybala Set to Engage in Contract Negotiations

January 17, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

The marriage between Paulo Dybala and Roma have worked wonderfully, but the club will have to revise his contract to enjoy him for years to come. The parties agreed to a particular arrangement after lengthy talks last summer. La Joya is currently tied to the Giallorossi until 2025 with €4.2M annual wages.

Al Nassr have set sights on Juan Cuadrado, who’s on an expiring contract and destined to leave Juventus on a free at the end of the season.

Al Nassr Keen on Signing Juventus Staple Right Away

January 17, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Bologna, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Spezia, Transfer Market

Al Nassr have set sights on Juan Cuadrado, who’s on an expiring contract and destined to leave Juventus at the end of the season. However, the Saudi club aims to onboard him right away and has offered him large wages. That would be a problem for the Bianconeri.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli spoke to the press on the eve of the Supercoppa versus Inter in Riyadh: "We have to play well as it's a crucial bout."

Milan Boss Pioli Gears Up for Supercoppa Against Inter

January 17, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Super Cup

Milan coach Stefano Pioli spoke to the press on the eve of the Supercoppa versus Inter in Riyadh. “We have to play well, as it’s a crucial bout. We’ll face our rivals, whom we defeated last season and in the last two derbies. We can't have become complacent after one trophy."

Napoli could have a different backup goalkeeper in the second half of the season. Salvatore Sirigu has asked out and received a pair of offers.

Napoli in Advanced Talks to Orchestrate Goalkeeper Swap

January 17, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

Napoli will likely have a different backup goalkeeper in the second half of the season. Salvatore Sirigu has asked out and received a pair of offers. The Partenopei are mulling potential swaps to bring in his replacement without having to look elsewhere. They are in touch with Fiorentina and Lorient.

Leicester City tabled a sizeable bid for Nicolas Gonzalez, but Fiorentina don’t want to sell the player in January. The Foxes tendered €34M.

Fiorentina Resisting Leicester City Offers for Gonzalez

January 17, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Leicester, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Leicester City tabled a sizeable bid for Nicolas Gonzalez, but Fiorentina don’t want to sell the player in January. The Foxes tendered €34M and will raise the sum in short order, but they are unlikely to be successful. The player hasn't asked out despite some tension with the fan base.

Author: Enrico Passarella