Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Gian Piero Gasperini criticized how the transfer market is structured following their first pre-season friendly, acknowledging the uncertainty.

Atalanta Prepared to Cut Down Their Squad in January

January 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Transfer Market

Gian Piero Gasperini publicly lamented before the break that Atalanta are stuck in a limbo between the old guard and the youngsters they added recently. The coach met with the new American co-owner Stephen Pagliuca in Boston in November to clear the air. La Dea ended the year on a losing streak.

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

More Injury Woes for Inter and Milan Ahead of Restart

January 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Inter and Milan will have to deal with key absences in the upcoming weeks. Marcelo Brozovic picked up a new calf injury in practice, and he’ll miss at least a pair of fixtures. Ante Rebic sustained a thigh strain that will cost him about 20 days, while Fode Ballo-Touré underwent shoulder surgery.

Roma’s general manager Tiago Pinto discussed a few transfer market topics in an interview, touching on Frattesi, Karsdorp, Smalling, and Mourinho.

Tiago Pinto Dishes on Frattesi, Karsdorp, and Mourinho

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

Roma’s general manager Tiago Pinto discussed a few transfer market topics: "Our goal is to vie for a Champions League berth, but there’s a lot of competition. We have what it takes to pursue this objective until the end. We invested €150M to sign 14 players in the last 18 months."

Lautaro Martinez held a press conference after returning to practice following the World Cup, commenting on the Argentina triumph and Inter.

Lautaro Martinez Ready to Dive Back into Serie A Play

January 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Argentina, Inter Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Lautaro Martinez held a press conference after returning to practice following the World Cup, commenting on the Argentina triumph and Inter: “I experienced unique emotions. I looked back at everything I did in the past. It was my childhood dream, but I didn’t think it would be so beautiful."

Cadiz have expressed strong interest in signing Luis Alberto, but Lazio have set onerous conditions to greenlight his departure.

New Spanish Suitors Emerge for Disgruntled Luis Alberto

January 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Sevilla, Transfer Market

Cadiz have expressed strong interest in signing Luis Alberto, but Lazio have set onerous conditions to greenlight his departure. Despite their position in the standings, as they are penultimate, the midfielder would be keen on joining them because they are located near his hometown in Andalusia.

Napoli are making progress in their chase of Azzedine Ounahi, but they have to fend off multiple other suitors. He'd join them in the summer.

Napoli Facing Surprising Foe in Race for Moroccan Star

January 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Napoli are making progress in their chase of Azzedine Ounahi, but they have to fend off multiple other suitors. Unlike different sides, the Partenopei would allow him to finish the season in Ligue 1, as Angers requested. But they have to be wary of the competition, including a rich Spanish minnow.

Juventus will likely lose Adrien Rabiot as he started to perform consistently at high levels, but they’ll try to extend his expiring contract.

Juventus to Make Hail-Mary Attempt to Re-Up with Rabiot

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

Juventus will likely lose Adrien Rabiot as he started to perform consistently at high levels, but they’ll try to extend his expiring contract. The Bianconceri’s sporting director Federico Cherubini recently talked with his mother and agent Veronique. His demands are hefty and he won't lack suitors.

With Nicolò Zaniolo headed to Galatasaray, Isco has been offered to Roma by some intermediaries to fill the void.

Salernitana Probing Signing Former Real Madrid Star

January 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Salernitana, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Isco has often been linked with a Serie A move that never materialized in his prime, but he could reach it at the tail-end of his career in a minnow, as he’s been offered to Salernitana. Both the Granata and the player are evaluating the conditions of the deal.

Romelu Lukaku is gearing up for the restart after an underwhelming and injury-plagued first half of the season. He has clear ideas about his future.

Lukaku Wishes to Stay at Inter after End of Loan Spell

January 2, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Romelu Lukaku is gearing up for the restart after an underwhelming and injury-plagued first half of the season. He talked about his future and more in an interview: “I’m very happy to have returned at Inter. I want to prove it on the pitch now, and I’m working hard."

Milan have marched at a fast pace in 2024, which could help Stefano Pioli stay put for at least another campaign. He has some backers inside the club.

Pioli Reveals Motivation Tools that Fueled Title Run

December 30, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A

Milan coach Stefano Pioli dished on his side, the title race, the previous Scudetto, and further topics in an interview: “We won the title sooner than we anticipated in 2022. When you invest in young players, you don’t expect immediate results. Therefore, it has been a very important year for us."

Juventus will likely add an experienced executive on the sporting side in the next few months, and Luis Campos is the latest name to pop up on their radar.

PSG Director Lands on Juventus Radar amid Overhaul

December 30, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, PSG, Serie A, Transfer Market

Even though it didn’t happen immediately, Juventus will likely add an experienced executive on the sporting side in the next few months, and Luis Campos is the latest name to pop up on their radar. The Bianconeri revamped their management after Andrea Agnelli stepped down following the recent allegations.

Milan will step up their efforts to sign a new goalkeeper, as Mike Maignan is struggling to heal from a calf injury. The Rossoneri are testing the waters.

Milan Increase Urgency to Find New Backup Goalkeeper

December 30, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan will step up their efforts to sign a new goalkeeper, as Mike Maignan is struggling to heal from a calf injury. The Rossoneri are testing the waters for a few options and haven’t zeroed in on one just yet. They are more determined to bring in another deputy than before.

Author: Enrico Passarella