Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Napoli plan to sign three center-backs and already snapped up Rafa Marin from Real Madrid, while Alessandro Buongiorno and Mario Hermoso are next.

Hermoso Closer to Transferring to England than to Italy

April 10, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, La Liga, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Mario Hermoso has been offered to a few Serie A sides as he looks for a new home at the end of his expiring contract. However, his requests are hefty, so he’s more likely to head elsewhere. In particular, Aston Villa are in the lead to capture him on a Bosman move.

The five Serie A teams that will participate in the Champions League submitted their UEFA lists on Tuesday and had to make some cuts.

Serie A Almost Certain to Have an Extra UCL Participant

April 10, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Champions League, Europa League, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Serie A has been leading the UEFA ranking for most of the season and is on the doorstep of clinching a top-two finish that would guarantee a fifth team in the Champions League even though it no longer has any representative in the top continental competition.

Juventus are keeping tabs on Mattia Zaccagni, who has been left in limbo by Lazio contract-wise given its 2025 expiration date.

Juventus Waiting in the Wings for Disgruntled Zaccagni

April 10, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus are keeping tabs on Mattia Zaccagni, who has been left in limbo by Lazio contract-wise. If the renewal doesn’t come in the next couple of months, he might depart for a discounted fee to prevent a Bosman transfer in 2025.

While Milan not-so-secretly aim to sign Joshua Zirkzee in the summer, they are readying some alternatives in case they can’t, like VIctor Boniface.

Milan Shortlist Bayer Leverkusen Striker as a Fallback

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

While Milan not-so-secretly aim to sign Joshua Zirkzee in the summer, they are readying some alternatives in case they can’t manage, and Victor Boniface is on their radar as well. He was having a tremendous campaign up until he suffered a serious thigh injury.

Antonio Conte wants Giovanni Di Lorenzo to stay, but the fullback is determined to leave, and Juventus are mulling how to get him.

Napoli Not Going to Give Away Inter-Linked Di Lorenzo

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Giovanni Di Lorenzo has surprisingly displayed some signs of restlessness as of late, but Napoli have no plans to sell him and surely won’t gift him even if he forced his way out. The Azzurri fear that Inter could be behind his malcontent.

Juventus are expected to overhaul their wings in the summer and have inserted Edon Zhegrova in their shortlist. The 25-year-old is having a stellar season.

Juventus Take an Interest in Productive Lille Attacker

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Ligue 1, Lille, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus are expected to overhaul their wings in the summer and have inserted Edon Zhegrova in their shortlist. The 25-year-old is having a stellar season. Director Cristiano Giuntoli completed his only two permanent signings, Weah and Djaló, from Lille.

Roma got off to an explosive start offensively after Daniele De Rossi took over. However, the coach realized that such a strategy was unstainable

De Rossi Tightened the Screws after Fiery Roma Start

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella Fiorentina, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Roma got off to an explosive start offensively after Daniele De Rossi took over. However, the coach realized that such a strategy was unstainable, especially since their attackers aren’t in great form. He opted to be more cagey in the recent bouts.

The Scudetto has been headed to Inter for a while, but the Nerazzurri kept their hopes of adding insult to injury and clinching it the Derby.

Inter Protect Opportunity to Win the Title in the Derby

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

The Scudetto has been headed to Inter for a while, but the Nerazzurri kept their hopes of adding insult to injury and clinching it the Derby thanks to the late Davide Frattesi goal against Udinese. They are 14 points clear of their cross-town rivals.

Bologna exec Giovanni Sartori anticipated Riccardo Calafiori moving abroad, and not to Juventus, if he were to leave, and Arsenal are leading the race over Chelsea.

Juventus Ready to Offer Youngsters to Lure Calafiori

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella Bologna, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Bologna want a substantial figure to sell Riccardo Calafiori, also because they have to give a chunk of it to Basel, but Juventus could get there thanks to a few makeweights. The valuation of the defender is around €30M.

Milan are examining more alternatives in their search for midfielders and have been linked to an old acquaintance, Aster Vranckx, and Dani Ceballos.

Milan Linked to Real Madrid Misfit and Former Loanee

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, La Liga, Real Madrid, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market, Wolfsburg One comment

Milan are examining more alternatives in their search for midfielders and have been linked to an old acquaintance, Aster Vranckx, and Dani Ceballos, who might leave Real Madrid in the summer. The youngster has flourished after they elected not to keep him.

Napoli have reprised talking with Antonio Conte and believe they have a better chance of hiring him in the past, as he'd like to work in Italy.

Napoli Have Renewed Hopes of Being Able to Hire Conte

April 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Napoli have reprised talking with Antonio Conte and believe they have a better chance of hiring him in the past. If possible, the gaffer would like to make his return to the bench in Italy. Eventually, he could go to Saudi Arabia to finish his career.

Alessandro Buongiorno has completed the physical tests and will soon ink the contract that will tie him to Napoli until 2029.

Torino Continue to Ask Hefty Figure for In-Demand Star

April 8, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Torino, Transfer Market

Alessandro Buongiorno has kept up his stellar form with Torino this season after almost joining Atalanta last summer. Despite a contract renewal, the defender might be on his way out in the next window considering the increasing interest in his services.

Author: Enrico Passarella