Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Barcelona are eyeing Serie A to bolster their defense next summer, and Matthijs De Ligt and Kalidou Koulibaly are highly-placed in their shortlist.

Napoli Ace Easier Target for Barcelona than Juventus Star

February 16, 2022 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Barcelona have laid their eyes toward Serie A to bolster their defense next summer, and Matthijs De Ligt and Kalidou Koulibaly are highly-placed in their shortlist. The Blaugrana have been sending some signals to the entourage of Senegalese center-back after the African Cup of Nations. He would be cheaper than the Dutchman.

Lorenzo Pellegrini returned to the starting XI after a major injury in Sassuolo-Roma. He discussed the two coaches and the Roma troubles with the referees.

Pellegrini Talks Mourinho, Mancini and Feud with Referees

February 16, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

Lorenzo Pellegrini returned to the starting XI in Sassuolo-Roma after an injury. His performance was one of the few positive aspects for the away team. The midfielder will look to recapture his peak form in the next few games, with the World Cup playoffs in mind. He spoke about his two coaches and the issues with referees.

After extending Marcelo Brozovic’s contract, Inter are looking for his potential backup next season, and they have set their sights on Jordan Vereout.

Roma Out-of-Favor Midfielder Becomes Summer Option for Milan

February 16, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Milan are looking for potential replacements for Franck Kessié, and Jordan Veretout is among the candidates. The club is resigned to the fact that the Ivorian midfielder will depart in the summer. Rather than engaging in potentially fruitless negotiation, they are scouring the market to substitute him properly.

Napoli have elected not to field Fabian Ruiz while the negotiation with PSG is ongoing. However, his departure doesn’t seem imminent just yet.

Fabian Ruiz Addresses Barcelona Match and His Napoli Future

February 16, 2022 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Fabian Ruiz discussed the upcoming Europa League clash with Barcelona in an interview: “It will be a historic game to honor Diego Armando Maradona." The midfielder also weighed in on his future, the importance of Carlo Ancelotti in his career, Lorenzo Insigne's departure, and the heated Scudetto race.

Spezia have completed the transfer of goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski from Fiorentina on a permanent deal, both clubs have confirmed.

Fiorentina Goalie Unhappy with Benching, Poised to Depart

February 16, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Transfer Market

Bartlomiej Dragowski has lost the starting job this season, and he is bound to leave Fiorentina in the summer. Vincenzo Italiano has stuck with Pietro Terracciano lately. The Polish goalkeeper is under contract only until 2023. The Viola have begun evaluating what to do at the position ahead of the next campaign.

Juventus will soon restart the negotiations with their players on expiring contracts, especially Paulo Dybala. The parties have not met in a while.

Juventus About to Enter Critical Phase of Talks with Dybala

February 16, 2022 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester United, Serie A, Transfer Market

Juventus will soon restart the negotiations with their players on expiring contracts, especially Paulo Dybala. The parties have not had further meetings after the talks broke off in December due to a U-turn by the management. The next summit is likely to take place within the next ten days.

José Mourinho wishes to add a pure deep-lying playmaker in the summer and is eyeing two London-based midfielders, Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Mourinho Set Sights on Pair of Premier League Midfielders

February 15, 2022 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Tottenham, Transfer Market

José Mourinho wishes to add a pure deep-lying playmaker in the summer and is eyeing two London-based midfielders. Roma already pursued Granit Xhaka in the past and will make another attempt. Moreover, the Portuguese gaffer would like to reunite with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The negotiation between Milan and Ismael Bennacer was reportedly at a good point. However, he decided to change his agent, which will reset it.

Milan Line Up Bennacer Extension amid Kessié Uncertainty

February 15, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Milan continue to take care of their own players and are finalizing the new contract of Ismael Bennacer. They put pen-to-paper with Theo Hernandez last week. They plan to do the same with the midfielder shortly. Rafael Leao and Pierre Kalulu are next on the schedule. His new deal will run through 2026.

Becir Omeragic was among the alternative targets for Milan in January, but they ended up standing pat in the back in January.

Agent of Milan-Linked Defender Corroborates Transfer Rumors

February 15, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Becir Omeragic was among the alternative targets for Milan in January, but they ended up standing pat in the back in January. His agent confirmed that they touched base with some Serie A teams recently. The defender could be on the move next summer. He visited San Siro for a Coppa Italia match last month.

Inter could make history by becoming the team with the longest draw-less streak if they hold out for three more games, matching a record set in the 1940's.

Inzaghi Confident About His Team Chances in Liverpool Clash

February 15, 2022 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Liverpool, Serie A

Simone Inzaghi previewed the first leg against Liverpool: “The English teams are all strong, and the Reds are one of the best. We deserve to be in this match. We had not made it to the Round of 16 in years, and we will try to play our cards. The Reds are the favorites, but anything can happen in the game."

Roma are setting the table for a few extensions and recently had a meeting with the agent of Bryan Cristante. His contract runs through 2024.

Roma Begin Talking New Deal with Midfielder Eyed by Sevilla

February 15, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Transfer Market

Roma are setting the table for a few extensions and recently had a meeting with the agent of Bryan Cristante. The contract of the midfielder runs through 2024. The parties had preliminary talks about the future. Sevilla have expressed some interest in signing him lately. The Giallorossi will soon announce Gianluca Mancini's new deal.

Chelsea are in the hunt for Dutch wingback Denzel Dumfries. Inter are prepared to lose him with a proper offer, and have already shortlisted three names.

Denzel Dumfries Hails Inter: “We Play Fantastic Football”

February 15, 2022 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

Denzel Dumfries heaped praise on Inter for the recent performances: “We play fantastic football, and we are having a lot of fun. When the club reached out to me, and I realized they were serious, I quickly made up my mind about joining them. They are focused on winning. We are on the right path and must stay on it."

Author: Enrico Passarella