Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

As it had become apparent for a while, Juventus will not activate their option to buy Alvaro Morata. He will head back to Atletico Madrid.

Morata “Happy” at Juventus but Barcelona Still an Option

February 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Juventus will try to retain Alvaro Morata at the end of the season, but Barcelona remain in the mix for him after making a serious attempt in January. However, the Blaugrana need to come to terms with Atletico Madrid. The Bianconeri will ask for a significant discount on their option to buy him out.

Milan are open to keeping Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but not at his current salary. They have already offered him a new deal, but he will not answer soon.

Milan Proposed Massively Reduced Contract to Aging Star

February 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Milan are open to keeping Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but not at his current salary. They have already offered him a new deal, although they do not expect to get an answer soon. They have been in talks with him and his entourage since before the end of the January window. They proposed a steep pay cut to retain until 2023.

Massimiliano Allegri addressed the first leg against Villarreal: “It is not an easy Round of 16, and we have 50 percent chances of advancing."

Juventus Not Clear Favorites versus Villarreal, Says Allegri

February 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Champions League, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Villareal

Massimiliano Allegri addressed the first leg against Villarreal: “It is not an easy Round of 16, and we have 50 percent chances of advancing. They are in good form like us. They are experienced and have a competent coach. We will have to pay attention to details and create favorable episodes. We will need to be patient and ordinate."

Ex-Fiorentina loanee and Arsenal reject Lucas Torreira revealed how Roma could be an option for him after he held talks with coach José Mourinho.

Fiorentina Plan to Retain Arsenal and Real Madrid Loanees

February 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Juventus, Real Madrid, Serie A, Transfer Market

Fiorentina are pleased with the performances of their two loanees, Alvaro Odriozola and Lucas Torreira, and would like to keep them past this season. On the other hand, they will have to negotiate with Real Madrid for the former. Arsenal have a bone to pick with them that could obstruct the talks for the latter.

Despite the subpar season, the Roma brass and the fans are fully behind José Mourinho and the current three-year technical project.

Roma Ownership Fully Backing Mourinho Despite Struggles

February 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

Despite the subpar season, the Roma brass is fully behind José Mourinho and the current technical project. The Giallorossi have nine points less than the previous campaign when Paulo Fonseca was at the helm, and they were fighting for fourth place. In different ears, the Special Ones would be on the hot seat.

Serie A teams will not sign players from Ukraine and Russia after all. The Italian Football Association had quickly adopted FIFA's special ruling.

Serie A Round 26 Expected Lineups – Derby della Mole Time

February 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Bologna, Cagliari, Calciomercato, Empoli, Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Salernitana, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spezia, Torino, Udinese, Venezia

The not-so-hidden dream of the Serie A leaders is fulfilled in Round 26, as there are no games taking place simultaneously due to the international competitions. The slate will begin Friday night, with Juventus hosting Torino. Milan will visit Salernitana, Inter will defy Sassuolo at home, while Napoli will square off against Cagliari.

The Inter front office is dissatisfied with the recent performance of their attack and wishes to retool it in the summer.

Inter May Be Willing to Sacrifice Star to Overhaul Attack

February 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Sassuolo, Serie A, Transfer Market

The Inter front office is dissatisfied with the recent performance of the attack and wishes to retool it in the summer. The frontline struggled in particular in the Liverpool game. The directors would like to add some European flair to do better in the Champions League. A pair of regulars are under scrutiny.

The American fund KKR, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, have reportedly laid their eyes on Atalanta. The buyers have completed the due diligence.

Conflicting Reports on KKR Interest in Acquiring Atalanta

February 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

The American fund KKR, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, have reportedly laid their eyes on Atalanta. The prospective buyers have completed the due diligence. Therefore, the negotiation has entered its final stages. However, a spokesperson of the conglomerate denied the rumors, as the situation appears to be still fluid.

José Mourinho will have very few men at his disposal against Verona. On top of the suspension and previous injuries, Roma announced four COVID-19 cases.

Mourinho Urges Roma to Power Through Absences in Verona Game

February 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Hellas Verona, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A

José Mourinho will have very few men at his disposal against Verona. On top of the suspension and previous injuries, Roma announced four COVID-19 cases today. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Carles Perez and Eldor Shomurodov will reportedly miss the game, while Nicolò Zaniolo is in doubt because of a quad issue.

Stefano Pioli highlighted the challenges presented by the Salernitana game: “There are more variable than usual due to their coaching change."

Pioli Talks Ibrahimovic and Kessié Before Salernitana Game

February 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

Stefano Pioli highlighted the challenges presented by the Salernitana game: “There are more variables than usual. We focused on our issues because their coaching change did not allow us to work much on them. They are coming off two positive results, and we will need determination and concentration.”

Andrea Belotti has decided to leave Torino, but it is not yet known which team he will join. The contract of the striker runs out in June.

Torino Future Free Agent Reportedly Waiting for Milan Call

February 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Torino, Transfer Market

Andrea Belotti is highly likely to leave Torino at the end of the season and has set his sights on joining Milan. The striker returned from his second major injury of 2020-2021 last week. The Rossoneri could consider adding another striker in the summer, but they have to make a decision on Zlatan Ibrahimovic first.

Roma have not made progress on the new contract of Nicolò Zaniolo, but that is not an issue according to his agent, as the player is willing to wait.

Zaniolo Agent Clarifies State of Extension Talks with Roma

February 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Roma have not made progress on the new contract of Nicolò Zaniolo. However, that is not an issue according to his agent. The representative stated that the attacker has no problem waiting to discuss a new deal: "There is no ongoing negotiation with the club. He is fully focused on finishing the season in the best possible way."

Author: Enrico Passarella