Real Madrid have emerged as a surprise contender for Alessandro Bastoni, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, with incoming manager José Mourinho understood to be an admirer of the Inter Milan centre-back just as Barcelona’s interest appears to be cooling.

According to Gazzetta, via CalcioMercato, Inter value Bastoni at a minimum of €70 million, a figure well within Real Madrid’s reach, and the Spanish giants face a significant defensive overhaul this summer, with David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger all departing as free agents.

Adding an experienced, internationally proven centre-back is considered a priority for Mourinho as he begins rebuilding the Bernabeu squad.

Barcelona doubts open door for Mourinho’s Madrid to pursue Bastoni

Barcelona had appeared to be the frontrunner, with Bastoni having previously indicated his openness to a move to Spain and personal terms reportedly discussed with his entourage.

However, coach Hansi Flick is understood to have developed reservations about the profile, preferring a centre-back with different technical characteristics. Those doubts have led the Catalan club to explore alternative targets, leaving the door open for Real Madrid to step in.

Bastoni himself remains keen to stay at Inter, where he has been a cornerstone of Cristian Chivu’s double-winning side.

But with Real Madrid’s interest now confirmed and Inter’s €70 million valuation unlikely to deter the Blancos, the summer could yet see one of Serie A’s most consequential transfer sagas reach a dramatic conclusion.

Giorgio Furlani’s time as AC Milan CEO appears to be drawing to a close, with the club’s hierarchy expected to discuss his future formally following Sunday’s final day clash against Cagliari, and three candidates already identified as potential successors.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via MilanNews24, Furlani is considering his position after sensing a lack of desire from owner Gerry Cardinale to continue with him in the role.

The task of identifying a replacement has been handed to Massimo Calvelli, RedBird’s key operational figure, who has already begun the process of drawing up a shortlist.

Galliani, Carnevali and Fenucci emerge as candidates to lead Milan restructure

The three names that have emerged are strikingly different in profile. Adriano Galliani, the legendary former Milan CEO who served under Silvio Berlusconi for over three decades before following him to Monza, would represent a deeply nostalgic appointment.

The 81-year-old is understood to be close to Allegri, which could ease some of the internal tensions that have defined this season, though any role for Galliani would almost certainly be seen as a short-term measure given his age.

Giovanni Carnevali, currently Sassuolo’s long-serving CEO, brings a very different set of credentials: a reputation for shrewd recruitment, financial discipline and player development that has made him one of the most respected figures in Italian football administration.

Claudio Fenucci, the architect of Bologna’s remarkable recent rise, rounds out the trio.

His work in transforming the Rossoblu into a European club on a modest budget would make him an attractive option for a club looking to rebuild intelligently rather than simply spend.

Furlani’s expected departure would be the latest in a significant overhaul of Milan’s leadership structure, following Igli Tare’s imminent exit as sporting director and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Ibrahimovic’s role at the club.

Atletico Madrid have accelerated their pursuit of Bernardo Silva and appear to be closing in on a deal for the Manchester City midfielder, dealing a significant blow to Juventus’s hopes of landing the Portuguese international this summer.

According to Marca, as reported by Alfredo Pedullà, the 31-year-old is increasingly convinced that Atletico represent the best destination for the next chapter of his career following his decision to leave the Etihad Stadium.

The Spanish club are prepared to include a signing bonus in their offer in a final push to make Silva one of their highest-paid players, a gesture designed to tip the balance decisively in their favour.

Juventus face disappointment in Bernardo Silva chase as Atletico move to close deal

The development is a major setback for Juventus, who had been heavily linked with Silva and were hoping to use Champions League qualification, if it can be secured on the final day of the season, as a key selling point in their approach.

Comolli had been personally leading negotiations in an attempt to convince the Portuguese star to choose Turin, with an offer of €8 million per season until 2028 reported to have been tabled.

Atletico’s move puts them firmly in pole position. Silva had previously been linked with Barcelona and had attracted interest from several top European clubs since confirming his City exit, but Atletico’s project under Diego Simeone, and the added incentive of a signing bonus, appears to have proved the most persuasive argument.

Ivan Provedel is expected to leave Lazio this summer, with Inter, Bologna and Fiorentina all among the clubs to have registered interest in the goalkeeper, according to transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, via FCInter1908, Pedullà explained that Provedel, whose contract runs until June 2027, faces a situation where Lazio must find a solution this summer rather than risk losing him for free next year.

“Provedel will probably leave,” Pedullà said. “He is evaluating two or three proposals. On the professional, the man and his performances, there is little to say.”

Provedel weighs starting role ambition as Bologna lead the race for Lazio stopper

The key factor in Provedel’s decision is his desire to remain a first-choice goalkeeper rather than accept a backup role.

Inter made an enquiry but are increasingly inclined to promote Josep Martinez as their number one following Yann Sommer’s expected departure, meaning the Lazio star would effectively be second choice at the Nerazzurri, a prospect that does not appeal to the Italian international.

Bologna lead the race, with technical director Giovanni Sartori a long-standing admirer of the goalkeeper.

The Rossoblu have also sounded out Lecce’s Falcone but are waiting on Provedel’s decision before moving further.

Fiorentina have also made an approach, with the Viola looking to cover themselves in the event that David De Gea departs the club this summer.

Pedullà noted that the Lazio number one holds Maurizio Sarri in the highest regard, adding that the goalkeeper “would follow Sarri all his life,” though with Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi unavailable, Provedel will assess his options on merit.

Luka Modric has declared his love for life at AC Milan and expressed a desire to win a trophy with the club, as the Croatian legend makes himself available for Sunday’s crucial Champions League qualifier against Cagliari despite recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

Speaking to Sport Mediaset, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the 40-year-old, whose contract expires on June 30, was careful to deflect questions about his future while making clear his attachment to the club runs deep.

“I am very happy in Milan but the most important thing now is the match against Cagliari on Sunday and Champions League qualification,” he said. “For the rest, we will see. I have good relationships with the club, the management and the coach.”

Modric hints at Milan stay as he praises city life and declares trophy ambition

On his desire to contribute beyond this season, Modric was telling.

“When I chose Milan it was to help and try to win,” he said. “This year it has not happened, but it is clear that I would like to win a trophy with Milan.”

The comment will fuel hope among the Rossoneri fanbase that the Croatian could yet commit to another year, particularly given his evident enjoyment of life in the city.

“It is a spectacular city, I love it,” he said. “The food is spectacular, pasta is my favourite dish, and it is close to the mountains, the sea and the lake.”

On his physical condition, Modric was upbeat. “I feel good and I am improving physically, I have returned to training with the squad and I am already getting used to the mask,” he said. “I am ready to come back. I have a great desire to play again.”

Asked whether he could become a future assistant to Allegri, Modric was non-committal but warm. “I have a good relationship with him but we have not talked about that,” he said. “I still love playing football. When I retire I will think about it, and when will I retire? I do not know, let’s see after Sunday.”

Matteo Politano has admitted that Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup remains a painful subject, describing it as the last chance for a generation of over-30s and calling for a fundamental restructuring of Italian football’s approach to youth development.

Speaking to Radio CRC, via CalcioMercato, after Napoli sealed Champions League qualification, the winger was reflective and at times emotional as he addressed both the club’s campaign and the Azzurri’s damaging elimination.

Politano praises De Bruyne impact at Napoli and hails exciting youngster Vergara

On the national team, Politano was candid. “I find it hard to talk about,” he said.

“It was awful. For those of us over 30, it was our last chance, so there was enormous regret. I am very attached to Gattuso, I care about him a lot and I was so sorry for him and for everyone.

“I think that to restart Italian football we need to rebuild from the foundations and from the youth sectors. There are very few Italians in the academies of the top clubs. We complain that there are no Italian players, but if we do not develop them ourselves it becomes very difficult.”

On Napoli’s season, Politano acknowledged the toll of a demanding and injury-hit campaign while taking pride in what the group achieved.

“It has been a long season with many commitments and injuries, but what we have built over these two years has been clear for all to see,” he said.

“We faced difficult moments where we sometimes struggled to put 11 players on the pitch, but we always tried to give our maximum.”

Politano also hailed the impact of two new players in the Napoli camp.

On youngster Antonio Vergara, he was enthusiastic. “He has impressed me enormously, he has great desire and real character,” he said. “He must play freely and think only of himself and the team.”

On Kevin De Bruyne, Politano expressed genuine regret at how little the club saw of him. “We lost him for four months and it was a significant absence,” he said. “Having a champion of that level available is important and unfortunately we enjoyed him too little.”

Fiorentina host Atalanta this evening as both sides prepare for their final match of the season.

For the hosts, they will be looking to put this season quickly behind them.

After qualifying for Europe last season, a disastrous start to the campaign saw the Viola took some time to get going.

Under Paolo Vanoli, things have improved but the club still sit 15th in the league, avoiding relegation by just seven points.

Atalanta, meanwhile, secured their spot in next season’s Conference League after their narrow 1-0 defeat to Bologna but will feel disappointed that their end of season form saw them slip out of the race for a place in the Champions League.

Fiorentina vs Atalanta – Official XIs

Fiorentina: Christensen; Comuzzo, Rugani, Dodo; Brescianini, Fabbian, Mandragora, Gosens; Piccoli, Gudmundsson, Harrison

Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellanova, Ahanor, Scalvini, Hien; Samardzic, de Roon, Musah, Pasalic; Raspadori, Sulemana

22-05-2026 19:45

MatchDay 38

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Atalanta

Live

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Roberto Piccoli (Assist: Marco Brescianini)

39'

Fiorentina

Atalanta

Starting lineups

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

3

Daniele Rugani

Defender

2

Dodô

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

4

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

4

Isak Hien

Defender

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

Substitutes

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

13

Éderson

Midfielder

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

45

Dominic Vavassori

Midfielder

40

Relja Obric

Defender

Massimiliano Allegri has identified Bayer Leverkusen left wing-back Alex Grimaldo as a priority transfer target for Milan this summer, with the Spanish international understood to have been specifically requested by the coach during meetings with the club’s hierarchy.

According to journalist Luca Cohen, via MilanNews24, Allegri views Grimaldo as the ideal profile to strengthen Milan’s left flank, a position that has been a persistent weakness throughout the campaign following Theo Hernandez’s departure to Al-Hilal last summer.

The 30-year-old offers technical quality, significant European experience and the ability to contribute meaningfully in the final third, ticking several of the boxes Allegri has outlined as non-negotiable in his summer recruitment demands.

Grimaldo move hinges entirely on Milan securing Champions League football

Any approach for the Spaniard is, however, entirely dependent on the Rossoneri qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The club head into the final day of the season still needing a result, and without European football of that level, the financial and sporting case for a move of this magnitude becomes considerably harder to make.

Should Allegri’s side secure their top-four place, the club are expected to open initial conversations with Leverkusen to establish the economic viability of the operation.

Grimaldo has been one of the most consistently impressive wing-backs in European football since joining the German club, and his profile would represent a significant upgrade on what Milan currently have available on the left side of defence.

Federico Dimarco has been named Serie A’s MVP for the 2025/26 season, capping a remarkable campaign in which the Inter left-back set a new all-time assist record for a single Serie A season as the Nerazzurri claimed the Scudetto and Coppa Italia double.

The full list of Serie A awards for 2025/26 is as follows:
Best Overall: Federico Dimarco (Inter);
Rising Star: Kenan Yildiz (Juventus);
Best Goalkeeper: Mile Svilar (Roma);
Best Defender: Marco Palestra (Cagliari);
Best Midfielder: Nico Paz (Como);
Best Forward: Lautaro Martinez (Inter);
Best Coach: Cristian Chivu (Inter).

Dimarco record-breaking season earns top individual honour as Inter dominate awards

Dimarco contributed six goals and 18 assists across the Serie A campaign, the highest assist tally ever recorded in a single Italian top-flight season. Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo paid tribute to the full-back’s contribution. “Dimarco has excelled for technical quality, with his exceptional left foot delivering six goals and 18 assists, an all-time record in a season of the Italian top flight,” he said.

The Nerazzurri dominated the individual honours, with Lautaro Martinez claiming the best forward award and Chivu earning the coaching prize. De Siervo praised the Romanian coach in particular.

“Chivu showed the winning DNA he had as a player, guiding his team to score more than two goals per game on average,” he said. “It took him just 48 Serie A matches as a coach to become champion of Italy, second only to Mourinho in the three-points era.”

Yildiz’s Rising Star award underlines Juventus’s faith in the young Turkish forward despite a difficult season for the club, while Svilar’s goalkeeper prize caps an outstanding campaign for Roma between the posts.

Palestra’s best defender award, earned during his loan spell at Cagliari from Atalanta, is likely to further fuel interest in the winger from Inter and other clubs this summer.

Paz, named best midfielder after a sensational season at Como, adds further context to Cesc Fabregas’s defiant insistence that the Argentine will either stay or join Real Madrid.

Gianluigi Buffon has left the door open to a return to Parma in a director role, insisting he is receptive to opportunities that genuinely excite him while stopping short of confirming any concrete discussions with the club that launched his professional career.

Speaking to Gazzetta di Parma, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the legendary goalkeeper, who began his career at Parma before his iconic spell at Juventus and returned to the club for a final season before retiring, was characteristically passionate when addressing the possibility.

Buffon praises Parma’s goalkeeper trio and backs Cuesta to continue as coach

“I am open to things that can excite me and that make sense,” Buffon said.

“In the people and proposals I receive there must be something that gets inside me. Because I am not the person for standard relationships or standard contracts. You have to know how to reach me. And it is very simple, because when you do know how to reach me, you know that Gigi gives you everything.

“So I am open to things that are not forced, things that make me dream and make me feel I can be a piece, a professional, a real added value in that context.”

Buffon also spoke warmly about Parma’s remarkable goalkeeping situation this season, in which all three of the club’s keepers won the MVP award at different stages.

“The Parma youth sector produces something,” he said. “Suzuki was expected to do well. Corvi deserves great credit, in a very delicate moment of the season he responded as a solid goalkeeper, which is the most important thing. And Rinaldi was a beautiful surprise. Long live the Parma goalkeepers.”

Asked about coach Carlos Cuesta, Buffon was supportive. “For the results he has brought, I think there should be no difficulty in continuing that relationship,” he said.

“Though as I always say, it depends on the expectations for next year and how the directors evaluate the work of the coach, and above all whether that work is right for the club’s ambitions going forward.”

Inter Milan are exploring the possibility of signing both Manu Koné from Roma and Curtis Jones from Liverpool this summer, as Cristian Chivu looks to reshape his midfield following the expected departure of Davide Frattesi.

According to Tuttosport, via CalcioMercato, Koné is Inter’s primary domestic target. The French midfielder joined Roma from Borussia Mönchengladbach for €18 million plus €2 million in bonuses in the summer of 2024 and has made 81 appearances for the Giallorossi, contributing four goals and six assists.

Contracted until June 2029 at €2.8 million net per season, Roma may be willing to sell as part of efforts to comply with financial fair play regulations.

Inter had already attempted to sign Koné last August without success, but are ready to return with a fresh approach on Chivu’s recommendation. A potential deal could involve Roma receiving Carlos Augusto and/or Frattesi in exchange, a swap that would suit both clubs’ needs heading into the summer.

Jones emerges as alternative as Nico Paz dream fades for Inter

Should Koné arrive, Tuttosport reports it would not necessarily preclude a second midfield signing.

Curtis Jones is contracted to Liverpool until June 2027 at €500,000 net per season, a modest wage that would make the deal financially straightforward. The England international is viewed as a complement to rather than a replacement for Koné.

Both players share the same 2001 birth year, fitting Inter’s profile of signing players in their prime years. Jones is also seen as an alternative to the dream of signing Nico Paz, who Real Madrid are expected to repurchase from Como for €10 million at the end of the season before deciding his next destination.

Cesc Fabregas has issued a firm and pointed response to Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti’s public admiration for Nico Paz, insisting the Argentine will not be joining the Nerazzurri and that only Real Madrid have any say over his future beyond Como.

Zanetti had recently stated openly that he was a great admirer of his compatriot, who has been one of the standout players in Serie A this season. Fabregas, speaking at his pre-match press conference, via TMW, was unimpressed, and made his feelings known with unusual directness.

Fabregas warns Inter to respect Como’s position as Nico Paz World Cup fitness remains uncertain

“I am sorry,” Fabregas said.

“Zanetti has been a very important person in football, he knows the dynamics well. I know Ausilio and Baccin well and I know they are the ones who make decisions. In the end, Nico is a Como player at 50%, but he is ours.

“The only club that can say anything is Real Madrid. I know that Zanetti does not work for Madrid or Como, so respect must be shown. There are also small messages I do not like. If I can say, and I know this for certain, Nico Paz will not play for Inter. He will either return to Real Madrid or play for Como next season.”

The Como coach also addressed Paz’s fitness ahead of the final day of the season and, potentially, the World Cup with Argentina.

“We are trying to see if he can play on Sunday, he deserves to, he has helped us enormously,” Fabregas said. “Between 24 and 48 hours a player can recover enormously, there are many miracles between physios and others that did not exist before. We will see on matchday, I cannot say yes or no right now.”

Nico Paz joined Como on a permanent basis from Real Madrid in 2024, with Los Blancos retaining a buy-back clause for the next two summers.

His 19 goal involvements this season have made him one of the most coveted players in Italian football, and Fabregas’s intervention makes clear that Como will not be steamrolled into losing their prized asset without a fight.

Friday’s reports claim that Real Madrid are the latest club to explore the possibility of signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic on a free transfer this summer, following reported interest from the likes of Milan, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. 

Real Madrid the latest in a growing list of Vlahovic suitors

Vlahovic’s contract in Turin will expire on June 30, and he is free to discuss opportunities away from Juventus. The Bianconeri have been attempting to offer Vlahovic a new deal on reduced wages for the majority of the 2025-26 season with no success thus far. 

There have been plenty of ups and downs for Vlahovic in the four-and-a-half years since he joined Juventus in a staggering €80m deal from Fiorentina, but this hasn’t put off a list of Europe’s elite clubs, who still consider Vlahovic to be a valuable asset, particularly on a free transfer. 

Milan had attempted to sign Vlahovic last summer when Juventus were pushing for a sale, aware of the fact that he was into the final year of his contract. The move didn’t come off, but recent reports indicate that the Rossoneri remain interested. 

Reports in Italy claim that Vlahovic has also been offered to Barcelona as a potential replacement for the veteran Robert Lewandowski, and to Bayern Munich as a potential option to rotate and compete with Harry Kane. 

Reports earlier this week claimed that there could also be an option for Vlahovic at Atletico Madrid, and now, the latest updates from TMW claim that Real Madrid have held discussions about the possibility of signing the Serbian as well. 

Manchester City have formally announced that Pep Guardiola will be stepping down from his role as head coach at the end of the 2025-26 season, but despite the suggestions that he could be tempted by an offer from the Italy national team, it appears that the Spaniard already has a new role lined up. 

Guardiola set for new City Group role despite Italy links

Guardiola will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season following 10 seasons at the Etihad Stadium, in which time he won the Premier League six times, the FA Cup three times, the EFL Cup five times and the Champions League, UEFA Super Cub and Club World Cup in 2023. 

There have been suggestions in the Italian press over the last few months that Guardiola could be tempted to return to Italy, where he previously played for Brescia and Roma, to fill the vacant national team head coach role. 

The CT position has been left vacant since the departure of Gennaro Gattuso shortly after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March. A replacement is expected to be appointed after the FIGC Presidential election takes place on June 22. 

Guardiola, along with Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, Simone Inzaghi and Roberto Mancini are among the names that have most regularly been mentioned in connection with the Italy job in the press over the last few weeks. 

However, the statement that Manchester City released confirming Guardiola’s departure also mentioned that he will step into an global ambassadorial role with the City Group, the network that owns the club along with Melbourne City, Montevideo City, Troyes, the majority of New York City FC, Palermo and Lommel and holds significant stakes in Girona and Yokohama F. Marinos. 

“Pep Guardiola will step down as Manager of Manchester City this summer,” read Manchester City’s statement. 

“The Catalan, who joined City in July 2016, has had a transformative effect during his ten years in charge, and will leave having won 20 major trophies – making him the most successful Manager in our history.

“Despite his departure as Manager of Manchester City, Pep will continue his relationship with the City Football Group, by taking up a role as a Global Ambassador. The role will see him giving technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to have a busy summer away from Milan, but the Swede is not expected to step into the ring with former boxing heavyweight champion of the World Tyson Fury, despite appearing to announce a bout with the Gypsy King on social media. 

What was the meaning behind Ibrahimovic’s Instagram post with Tyson Fury?

Ibrahimovic is a senior advisor to RedBird Capital Partners, the investment management firm that owns Milan. Technically, Ibrahimovic is not directly employed by the club, despite his role being largely on the ground in Italy. 

That means, that despite the club’s plans for a busy summer of transfer activity, Ibrahimovic is not obliged to be in the building at Milanello, which is why he is available for punditry duty with FOX Sports for the duration of the 2026 World Cup. 

On Thursday, Ibrahimovic took to Instagram, and appeared to announce some sort of fight against Fury. The pair posed for pictures together and posted to social media with the caption: “Breaking news! It’s on August 1! Dublin, Ireland.” 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, however, there is no chance of Ibrahimovic and Fury stepping into the ring and fighting each other, even in some form of exhibition. 

Instead, Zlatan’s post is more likely to reference the IBO World super-lightweight title fight between Pierce O’Leary and Mark Chamberlain, which is taking place in Dublin on August 1. O’Leary is represented by Frank Warren, who also represents Fury. 

Meanwhile, back in Milan, RedBird’s managing director Gerry Cardinale is expected to visit in the coming days to assess the 2025-26 season, sit down for talks with Massimiliano Allegri and potentially to restructure the senior management of the club.

The managerial merry-go-round is in full swing in Serie A, and amidst the reports that Atalanta are trying to snatch Maurizio Sarri away from Lazio and Napoli, a new scenario is emerging that could see the Biancocelesti head coach ‘swap’ jobs with Raffaele Palladino. 

Could Lazio and Atalanta swap Sarri and Palladino?

Sarri is currently under contract with Lazio, but is among the coaches identified by Napoli as a potential replacement for Antonio Conte, who will leave the Partenopei after the 2025-26 comes to an end. 

Despite his previous connections to Napoli, recent reports indicate that Sarri is more tempted by an offer from Atalanta, where he would work alongside his former Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli. La Dea are said to be ‘pushing’ to beat Napoli to the coach’s signature. 

Lazio are left looking at potential replacements for Sarri, and now, reports from the Corriere dello Sport suggest that there could be a potential ‘swap’ involving Atalanta’s Palladino on the cards. Palladino is among the lengthy list of Serie A coaches expected to leave their current roles at the end of the season. 

Lazio have reportedly been exploring options surrounding former Bologna and Juventus head coach Thiago Motta, but Friday’s report indicates that Motta is more likely to start again with a new job abroad rather than in Serie A. 

On the other hand, Palladino and Cagliari’s Fabio Pisacane are among the options that Lazio seem to like best.

Atalanta have officially revealed their newly redesigned club crest, which they will wear from the 2026-27 onwards: ‘La Dea back in the spotlight’. 

In keeping with many clubs across Europe in recent years, Atalanta have changed their club crest to a more circular shape. The club says that this is inspired by the circular logo that the players wore on their strips from 1984-1993. 

The new Atalanta emblem still features the iconic silhouette of La Dea, the heroine of Greek mythology from which the club took its name. The silhouette appears on a blue background encompassed by a black and white border in fitting with the club’s colours. 

What Atalanta said about new club crest

“La Dea takes centre stage once again,” began a statement on the club website. 

“It was in the 1960s that the silhouette of La Dea first appeared in Atalanta’s club crest. Since then, it has remained the defining symbol of the Club, evolving over time to adapt to different needs — from embroidery and print to digital applications and merchandise — leading up to the redesign unveiled today.

“The new crest draws inspiration from the circular shape introduced in the 1980s, reimagined through a precise geometric construction. Its guiding principle is subtraction: removing unnecessary elements to give greater prominence to La Dea, who once again becomes the visual focal point of the badge. The hair has been redesigned into five strands, a deliberate tribute to the five founders who gave life to the Club in 1907. The background is entirely blue, enclosed within a black circle.

“The result is an identity designed to work seamlessly across every platform and remain instantly recognisable at all times — just like the Dea it represents.”

Details of a new era pic.twitter.com/c5udPNH0dv

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) May 22, 2026

Gerry Cardinale will be in Milan for the final Serie A match of the season against Cagliari on Sunday, and the Rossoneri owner is expected to conduct talks with head coach Massimiliano Allegri, seal a deal for Leon Goretzka and discuss the club’s plans to bring in a new striker during his visit to Italy. 

What’s on the agenda for Cardinale and Allegri in Milan?

Milan are on the verge of sealing their qualification for next season’s Champions League. The team are in third place heading into the final round of 2025-26 fixtures and have a two-point buffer between themselves and fifth place. 

Qualifying for the Champions League is a goal that Allegri has referenced on countless occasions this season, and once Milan’s top four status is confirmed, the coach will have his contract automatically extended by a further year until the summer of 2028. 

Amid reports of interest from Napoli as well as being a rumoured candidate for the vacant Italy national team job, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Cardinale will do everything in his powers to convince Allegri to stay with Milan for 2026-27. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that if Milan beat Cagliari in Serie A this weekend, it is difficult to envisage Allegri leaving San Siro this summer. 

When Allegri and Cardinale speak in the coming days, the coach is expected to ask for certain guarantees on the transfer market. 

The first recruit is expected to be Germany international Leon Goretzka, who will be leaving Bayern Munich on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract in June. The 31-year-old has reportedly already spoken to the Rossoneri management and is ‘convinced’ by the project. 

The next priority will be the search for a new striker. Among the names to be linked with Milan in recent weeks are Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus, Jean-Phillipe Mateta from Crystal Palace, Goncalo Ramos from PSG and Serhou Guirassy from Borussia Dortmund.

Reports in Italy claim that Manchester United and Atalanta have agreed upon a price for Brazilian midfielder Ederson, who could potentially raise up to €53m in funds for La Dea. 

Report: Ederson set for Manchester United at €53m

An exclusive from SportItalia claims that United and Atalanta have ‘concluded’ negotiations and that the permanent transfer of Ederson is now just a step away. 

Friday’s report claims that United are willing to pay a guaranteed sum of €48m plus up to €5m in bonuses for a potential total of €53m. Other outlets suggest that the agreement is for €45m plus €5m in bonuses for a total €50m package.

If this does prove to be the case, Atalanta will become one of the most expensive sales in Atalanta’s history. The most expensive Dea departure remains that of Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United in a deal reported to be worth €75m plus up to €10m in bonuses. Mateo Retegui joined Al-Qadsiah in a €62m deal last summer, Teun Koopmeiners joined Juventus for a total of €58m and Cristian Romero joined Tottenham for around €53m.

Ederson has 30 appearances to his name in Serie A this season with two goals and an assist on his record, on top of another goal and assist from his nine outings in the Champions League this term. 

He has been on Atalanta’s books for the last four seasons, having joined the club from Salernitana in 2022.

Reports in Italy indicate that Roma and Milan could be set to battle it out for the services of both Gianluca Scamacca from Atalanta and Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United once the summer transfer window gets underway. 

Scamacca and Zirkzee both of interest to Roma and Milan

Both Roma and Milan are looking to reshape their attacking departments in the summer transfer window. Gian Piero Gasperini found success with Donyell Malen in the second half of the season but is in need of more options, particularly if the Giallorossi return to the Champions League in 2026-27. 

Massimiliano Allegri prefers a two-man strike partnership, but has constantly chopped and changed between Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Christpoher Nkunku, Santiago Gimenez and Niclas Fullkrug this season and could seek to rebuild the department this summer. 

Tuttosport and Calciomercato.com report that both sides could make offers for Atalanta’s Scamacca this summer. The 22-time Italy international will be into the final year of his contract in 2026-27, but Atalanta are said to be seeking a fee in the region of €30m for his services, despite the fact that they paid €28m to sign him from West Ham in 2023. 

Both Roma and Milan have previously expressed an interest in signing former Bologna forward Zirkzee from Manchester United, and could reignite their interest this coming transfer window. 

There have been claims that Manchester United are keen on the idea of signing Rafael Leao from Milan this summer, and Friday’s report suggests that Milan could potentially seek to involve Zirkzee in a player-plus-cash deal. Roma remain interested too. 

Other strikers linked with a potential summer move to Milan include Juventus’s Dusan Vlahovic and Tottenham loanee Randal Kolo Muani, while for Roma, the list includes RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa, West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville, Porto’s Pepe and Marseille’s Mason Greenwood.

There was excitement among Juventus supporters online when footage emerged of Alessandro Del Piero paying a visit to the club’s training facility on Thursday, but despite the calls for him to return to the club in some form of directorial role, there was a specific reason as to why the legendary former no.10 was back in Turin. 

Why Del Piero was back at Juventus raining ground this week

Juventus are facing a massively disappointing end to the 2025-26 season following their 2-0 defeat at home against Fiorentina last weekend. The team finds themselves in sixth place in the Serie A table, two points shy of the top four and requiring favours from multiple teams if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League. 

The situation has left several members of Juve’s senior management structure with uncertain futures, especially directors Damien Comolli and Francois Modesto, and even potentially head coach Luciano Spalletti, who was only appointed midway through the 2025-26 season. 

Amidst the scrutiny of the current Bianconeri leadership, there have been calls for Del Piero to return the club in some capacity. His former teammate Alessio Tacchinardi spoke to Tuttosport recently, insisting: “I don’t see any other solution than to call Alex, right now, he’s the only one who can change Juventus’s destiny.” 

This opinion has been shared by plenty of supporters across social media as well. 

That is why there was speculative excitement when Del Piero was spotted arriving at JMedical on Thursday, but Tuttosport have since confirmed that the visit was connected to the 30th anniversary of Juve’s 1996 Champions League win. 

Del Piero was reportedly in town to film content, some of which includes current Juventus no.10 Kenan Yildiz. 

Fiorentina and Atalanta will kick off the final round of 2025-26 Serie A fixtures on Friday evening when they take each other on at the Stadio Franchi, but the visitors are the only one of the two sides who can improve on their current league position. 

Atalanta are guaranteed to finish the season in seventh place, unable to catch Juventus 10 points above them in sixth, and unable to be overtaken by Bologna in eighth on account of their head-to-head record.

Fiorentina find themselves in 15th place ahead of kick-off after a complicated start to the 2025-26 campaign, but could potentially lift themselves up to 12th with a victory on Friday. 

The Viola are coming in off the back of a surprise 2-0 victory away against Juventus last weekend, while La Dea were beaten 1-0 by the aforementioned Bologna in their most recent league fixture. 

Moise Kean is not expected to return to the starting line-up having missed the last six league matches with a shin injury, Roberto Piccoli is expected to lead the line instead. Manor Solomon could also keep his place in the Fiorentina attack. 

For Atalanta, this is an opportunity to move things around: Marco Sportiello is in line for a rare opportunity in goal, and there could be several alterations to the midfield and attack, with Raoul Bellanova, Yunus Musa, Lazar Samardzic, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Gianluca Scamacca hoping for starts. 

Kick-off is due at 19.45 BST.

Fiorentina vs. Atalanta: Probable line-ups 

Fiorentina (4-3-3): De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Comuzzo, Gosens; Ndour, Fagioli, Mandragora; Solomon, Piccoli, Gudmundsson. 

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Sportiello; Scalvini, Hien, Ahanor; Bellanova, Pasalic, Musah, Zalewski; Samardzic, Sulemana; Scamacca. 

Where to watch Fiorentina vs. Atalanta

Tonight’s fixture will be available to watch live and exclusively on DAZN in the UK. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.

Friday’s reports claim that Luka Modric wants to continue playing for another season, but that he could then move into a coaching role on Massimiliano Allegri’s staff from the beginning of the 2027-28 season onwards. 

Modric wants to play for another year before starting coaching career

According to reports from the Corriere dello Sport, Modric wishes to continue playing for another season after the upcoming 2026 World Cup, whether that be with Milan or elsewhere. Much depends on the final game of the season and the future plans of the head coach. 

Friday’s report claims there are two conditions for Modric to stay in Milan for another season. First is securing Champions League football for 2026-27: The Rossoneri are third and have a two-point buffer between themselves and fifth place heading into the final round of fixtures on Sunday. 

Secondly, Modric reportedly wishes to continue playing under Allegri, who has been linked with moves to both Napoli and the Italy national team set-up in recent weeks, but the Corriere dello Sport indicates that he is increasingly likely to stay put. 

Modric is said to have enjoyed his time in Milan working under Allegri thus far and Friday’s report claims there is a great deal of mutual admiration and respect between the coach and the former Ballon d’Or winner. 

That is why, when Modric begins his coaching career, potentially in 2027-28, he wishes to do so working under Allegri, again, whether that be with Milan or elsewhere. 

In the meantime, the 40-year-old is pushing for a place in Milan’s starting line-up for their final Serie A match of the season against Cagliari on Sunday after making a rapid recovery from a fractured cheekbone injury sustained while playing against Juventus a few weeks ago. 

The Rossoneri have reportedly gone in for a mini-training camp on Friday, and the team will stay together until the Cagliari match on Sunday. 

Milan have officially dropped their new strip for the 2026-27 season, returning to significantly larger stripes compared to their recent kits, and will debut their new threads in the final round of Serie A fixtures this weekend. 

The new Rossoneri kit features large red and black vertical stripes across the front and back of the shirts and it appears that Milan’s home strip will feature white shorts and largely black socks with red detailing. 

2026-27 will be the ninth season of Milan’s partnership with Puma, who have designed the Diavolo strips since the beginning of the 2018-29 season. 

“These are not just stripes; they are the defining mark of AC Milan,” read a statement on the club website. 

“Every detail reinforces that identity. The inscription ‘From Milan to the World’ pays tribute to the millions of fans worldwide, capable of making the Club feel at home on every continent. On the back neck, a wax seal enshrines the Rossoneri crest: the essence of the club, imprinted on every shirt as its authentic signature, a timeless passage handed down from parent to child. Together, they make this shirt a love letter to all who claim it as their own.”

The new strip is available to purchase online from Friday, May 22 onwards. 

The Rossoneri will debut their new threads in their final Serie A match of the 2025-26 season, at home against Cagliari in San Siro on Sunday.

Milan drop new Puma home kit for 2026-27

pic.twitter.com/Vwt23GTubr

— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 22, 2026

Friday’s reports claim that Damien Comolli will not voluntarily step down from his role as CEO of Juventus, and that he wishes to organise a press conference once the 2025-26 season comes to an end in order to ‘recognise his mistakes’ and to discuss his plans for the future. 

Comolli unwilling to step down as Juventus CEO

Tension is rising in Bianconeri circles as Juventus look set to miss out on qualification to the Champions League for the first time in 15 years. The Old Lady is sixth in Serie A heading into the final round of fixtures this weekend, two points shy of the top four and requiring favours from multiple sides if they are to make the cut. 

The situation has put the futures of all of Juve’s senior management structure in doubt: From Comolli to Modesto and even head coach Spalletti, it remains unclear as to who will still be in place come the start of the 2026-27 season. Recent reports claim that Giorgio Chiellini is the only Juventus director ‘guaranteed’ to still be there in a few months’ time. 

Club owner John Elkann is expected to hold meetings with some of Juventus’s key figures once the season comes to an end, and it is expected that the picture will become a bit clearer once those happen next week. 

Comolli is expected to meet with Elkann to review his 2025-26 season and to evaluate his future at the club, but despite calls for him to go from large sections of the Juventus supporter base, reports from Tuttosport claim that Comolli will not voluntarily step down, nor does he wish to give up on any of his current duties. 

Friday’s report claims that Comolli recognises the mistakes that have been made in 2025-26, that already has plans for the 2026-27 season and that he wishes to discuss both topics in a post-season press conference to clear the air. 

However, at the same time, Spalletti has reportedly already spoken to Elkann and requested certain guarantees, including more influence in football-related decision-making processes, which somewhat weakens Comolli’s position. 

And, Tuttosport claims that the suggestion that Chiellini could take on a bigger role within the club is becoming increasingly popular in Juventus circles.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Milan turnaround 

Cardinale arrives, takes Goretzka and ties down Allegri 

The owner will be in San Siro, then the Diavolo want to turn the page. And now, Ibra thinks about … boxing

Napoli tempt Max but Italiano rising 

Frustration with Sarri, who’s thinking about Atalanta

Inter of the derby 

Marotta stings: ‘We are Milano, the only ones with two stars’

Lippi and the Champions League 

That night 30 years ago. Why my Juve won

Corriere dello Sport 

Modric in Max’s staff 

Luka’s plan | The genius wants to play for another year and tie himself to the coach 

Also with Allegri in the future

If the coach stays at Milan, he could renew until 2027. Otherwise, he could find another team to end his career with before becoming his assistant

Sarri to Bergamo 

Maurizio has chosen Atalanta 

Convinced by Percassi and Giuntoli, he now needs to free himself from his two-year deal with Lazio. Pompilio also coming in after ‘resolving’ with Juve 

Spalletti: Doubts 

Luciano asks for guarantees to stay 

The coach doesn’t want to come back to a Juve that is less technically competitive. Possible meeting with Elkann next week 

Roma, Ryan is increasingly the man 

The vice-President with the Giallorossi in Verona: Playing for the Champions League

Bari angst: It’s the night of salvation 

Serie B play-out

On the Sudtiriol pitch (kicking off at 19.00), the Bianconeri don’t have any alternatives: They need to win after the 0-0 in the first leg 

Tuttosport 

High Juve tension 

Comolli will never step aside: If he does, Elkann will have to step in. And the fans are calling for Del Piero 

The CEO has no intentions of stepping back or relinquishing his powers. The team isn’t training: Spalletti hopes the players will de-stress at home. The next Club World Cup is also at risk. And even the celebrations for the ‘96 Champions League winners is becoming a problem amidst the disappointment and embarrassment 

‘Cairo is fed up, he wants to sell’

Graziana, sensational revelation

‘The President told me that the protests hurt everyone, but there are no buyers. I’d ask the fans to stand close with the squad again. Ventura’s visit to Fila: Petrachi wants him in a Ranieri-style role. Tomorrow’s training session will be open to the public, and on Sunday there will be a march to the stadium. 

Sarri runs to Giuntoli, increasingly closer to Atalanta 

The coach is inclined to choose Bergamoe

Scamacca ignited the Milan-Roma duel 

The centre-forward could leave La Dea 

‘France are World Cup champions, but we’ve got Ancelotti …’

Interview with Careca, between Napoli and Brazil

Juventus need creativity in midfield, so if Bernardo Silva won’t arrive, it’s reported they will target his Manchester City teammate Tijjani Reijnders or Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz.

The Bianconeri have struggled to create scoring opportunities this season and Luciano Spalletti has made no secret of his disappointment with the options at his disposal.

The first choice had been Bernardo Silva as a free agent, but Atletico Madrid would now seem the be the hot favourites for his signature, especially if Juve fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Reijnders and Brahim Diaz on Juventus list

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Old Lady could instead turn towards one of his teammates at Manchester City, who is no stranger to Serie A.

Reijnders left Milan last summer for €55m plus bonuses, but after a strong start at the Etihad, he has increasingly struggled for regular playing time.

The Dutchman contributed seven goals and eight assists in 46 competitive appearances for Manchester City, but only 29 of those were in the starting XI, just once in the last 13 games.

It is noted that he could be available on a loan with obligation to buy for €40m, but the €7m per season salary is also a concern.

Another cheaper option is Brahim Diaz, who again is a former Milan player, albeit slightly less recent.

He was with the Rossoneri from 2020 to 2023, when returning to Real Madrid, and he is only under contract until June 2027.

Udinese defender Oumar Solet reveals why he didn’t join Napoli, comments on Inter and Premier League links. ‘I started as a midfielder, so playing the ball is natural for me.’

The centre-back came to Serie A for Udinese as a free agent in January 2025, but it could’ve been a very different and earlier introduction to Italian football.

“It’s true that there was contact with Napoli in the past, but Red Bull Salzburg didn’t want to sell me,” Solet told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Following a contract dispute, he managed to leave the Austrians and come to Udinese, where he made a name for himself.

“I like Serie A, it’s one of the three best leagues in the world. The level has really increased over the last few years, it is a very tactical competition.”

Solet targeted by several clubs

Trying to work out some hints about his future, including Newcastle United focus, he was asked if he prefers Serie A or the Premier League.

“They are two very different leagues, but I like both because they are attractive tournaments at the highest level, but I also like LaLiga and Ligue 1 too.”

The club most consistently linked with Solet is Inter, who see him as one of the potential heirs to Alessandro Bastoni.

“It is nice to be accosted to big clubs, but I am concentrated on Udinese,” he replied.

“I am happy here, the club has faith in me, I play consistently and have the opportunity to grow. This is fundamental for me. Udinese made me feel at home, I live in the centre of a nice, tranquil city, which allows me to concentrate on my work.”

Inter are above all interested in Solet because he is a ball-playing defender who can push forward and also start moves from the back with precise passing.

“I started out as a midfielder, then at age 17 I became a defender. I always had these characteristics to my game,” noted the 26-year-old.

“In Italy, there is a definite defensive focus and the first instinct is often to avoid taking risks. But seeing as I grew up playing in midfield, playing the ball and having it at my feet is natural for me.

“I don’t feel worried too much about taking risks with my passing, I just try to do what I do best. Maybe at times in Italy there is a lack of courage in pushing forward.”

Solet has dual citizenship with France and the Ivory Coast, but so far has not committed himself to either country.

“It is an important decision and I am thinking about it, but I want to make the right choice for my future.”

There are five Serie A players in the final Norway squad going to the 2026 World Cup, from Sassuolo, Bologna, Torino, Genoa and Cremonese.

Norway won the World Cup qualifying group ahead of Italy, achieving their spot at the tournament thanks to a 100 per cent record of 10 victories.

The group of 26 players for the trip to the USA, Mexico and Canada has now been confirmed with plenty of representation from Italian club football.

They are Genoa defender Leo Ostigard, Bologna’s Torbjorn Heggem, Marcus Pedersen of Torino, Cremonese midfielder Morten Thorsby and Sassuolo player Kristian Thorstvedt.

Norway squad for 2026 World Cup

Orjan Haskjold Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Fredrik Bjorkan, Henrik Falchener, Sondre Langas, Torbjorn Heggem, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Julian Ryerson, David Moller Wolfe, Leo Ostigard, Thelonious Aasgaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge, Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, Morten Thorsby, Kristian Thorstvedt, Martin Odegaard, Erling Braut Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Alexander Sorloth

There are reports that CEO Giorgio Furlani and advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the figures who will be pushed out of Milan, potentially bringing Adriano Galliani back.

It is no secret that something has to change within the Rossoneri camp this summer, as there is a power battle erupting behind the scenes.

CEO Furlani clashes with director of sport Igli Tare, coach Max Allegri is not on speaking terms with Ibrahimovic, and patron Gerry Cardinale is forced to make big decisions very soon.

Milan ready to restructure hierarchy

According to MilanNews and Tuttomercatoweb, the man who could be pushed out at the end of all this is Furlani.

He had been the strongest figure for several years at the club, representing former owners Elliott Management, but buying out the vendor loan means that Elliott no longer have any decisional power.

It allows Cardinale and RedBird to do without Furlani, who has become a figure of criticism from the fans in recent protests.

Ibrahimovic could also be forced out after his clashes with Allegri, though it remains unlikely that Tare will survive the cull regardless.

The latest reports point to the return of Galliani, who for over three decades was CEO of Milan under Silvio Berlusconi, then followed his patron to a new project at Monza.

Galliani turns 82 in July, so it would be a short-term scenario to rebuild the Diavolo.

The man given the job of finding a new long-term general manager is Massimo Calvelli, the right hand man of Cardinale.

A remarkable report in La Stampa newspaper claims that Luciano Spalletti is ready to hand in his resignation if Juventus fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The coach only took the job on October 30, 2025, and signed a new deal to June 2028 just a few weeks ago.

Nonetheless, there are suggestions of tension between Spalletti and director Damien Comolli, with club patron and heir to the Agnelli family John Elkann forced to choose between them going forward.

Spalletti unsure of Juventus future

Juve had been on the verge of securing a top four finish, but the 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina has seen them slip down to joint fifth with Como.

Going into the final weekend of the season, it will require Juventus to win the derby against Torino, and for at least one of Roma and Milan to slip up for them to get back into the Champions League.

According to La Stampa, Spalletti is prepared to hand in his resignation and walk away if he fails to guarantee their main objective for the campaign.

It is also entirely possible that Juve would reject his offer of resignation and convince the coach to stay with renewed powers to decide his squad.

Italy have been placed in a group with Jamaica, the Ivory Coast and Uzbekistan for the Under-17 World Cup, kicking off in November.

The Azzurrini have qualified for the tournament, which is hosted by Qatar from November 19 to December 13.

Before that, the Under-17 squad will also take part in the final phase of the European Championship from May 25 to June 7 in Estonia.

Italy hoping for Under-17 World Cup success

The draw for the Under-17 World Cup was held in Doha today, and Italy are hoping to go better than the last edition, when they secured the bronze medal in 2025, beating Brazil on penalties.

The 2026 tournament for the Nazionale kicks off on November 20 against Jamaica, then they’ll take on the Ivory Coast on November 23, before ending Group E against Uzbekistan on November 26.

The top two teams in every group, plus the best eight third-placed sides, will go through to the Round of 16.

The Final is scheduled on Sunday December 13.

This is the eighth time that the Azzurrini are participating in the Under-17 World Cup, after 1991, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2019, 2025 and 2026.

There are reports Inter could hand the gloves to Josep Martinez as the heir to Yann Sommer, but bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Arsenal as his understudy.

The Nerazzurri are looking for their next goalkeeper after Sommer walks away this summer, and the plan had been to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the steep asking price and the impressive performances of Martinez have prompted a rethink in the Inter camp.

Kepa can be Inter idea

There had already been suggestions that Martinez could be given the gloves and a more prominent role next season, despite making only 10 competitive appearances this term.

Now La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the idea would be to provide him with an experienced understudy who can help guide the 27-year-old former Genoa shot-stopper.

The name they mention is Kepa Arrizabalaga, who at 31 has seen a lot more of world football, but is also content to be a back-up.

This is the role he had with Arsenal this season, having just 11 games after his €5.8m transfer from Chelsea.

His CV is enviable with two Champions League trophies, the Europa League, a Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Premier League, LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup.

Milan defender Fikayo Tomori is expected to miss out on the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, along with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Phil Foden.

The final list is set to be announced by manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday May 22, cutting down the 55-man preliminary group to just 26 names.

Tomori won’t get World Cup opportunity

Manchester United defender Maguire confirmed today that he has not made the cut, noting on social media that he was “shocked and gutted” at the decision.

While Maguire and Tomori have often been in contention for the same spot, it looks as if both of them are going to be left out this time, according to BBC Sport.

Milan centre-back Tomori had hoped to get the nod after starting the 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay on March 27.

That was his sixth senior cap for England, the first since November 2023.

He made the move to Serie A in 2021 from Chelsea for a transfer fee of nearly €36m and has been a regular in the starting XI for the Rossoneri.

Others left at home include Manchester United’s Shaw and Foden of Manchester City, but Newcastle United veteran Dan Burn does get a call-up at age 34.

Inter President Beppe Marotta sniped at rivals Milan during an event to present the new kit. ‘We are the team of this city, the only one’ with at least 20 Serie A titles.

The Nerazzurri had already won the race to 20 back in the summer of 2024, leaving their neighbours behind on 19, but added a 21^st this month along with the Coppa Italia trophy for a Double.

When a club wins 10 editions of the Scudetto, they get to keep a star on their jersey in perpetuity, so only Inter and Juventus have two stars forever on their shirts.

Inter have more Serie A titles than Milan

This was referenced by President Marotta when speaking to the fans during an event at the Arena Civica, which was used as their stadium from 1930 to 1947.

“If Inter are up there, it is thanks to all the Presidents who held this role before me, so I’d like to remember the Moratti family, Fraizzoli, Pellegrini, Zhang, all those who over the course of 100 years held the reins of this club,” said Marotta.

“It’s a special evening and we wanted to crown it in this venue, an icon of the city, because we are the team of this city, the only one that has two stars in the city of Milano, and this makes us very proud.”

This was the presentation of the new 2026-27 kit, which will also have the two stars upon it, along with the Scudetto symbol and the target badge representing the Coppa Italia.

“L’unica società che ha 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞, 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐢 𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐢”

La frecciata di Marotta al Milan, direttamente dall’allenamento aperto all’Arena Gianni Brera #Marotta #Inter #DAZN pic.twitter.com/5YIdYXFeT1

— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) May 21, 2026

Italy may well have received a boost in their hopes of calling up Nicolò Tresoldi, as the Club Brugge striker has been left out of the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The 21-year-old centre-forward was born in Sardinia and moved to Germany with his family at a very young age, but has dual citizenship.

He spent his entire career at Hannover until the €7.5m transfer to Belgium and Club Brugge, where he absolutely flourished this season, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists in 56 competitive games.

Italy could still call Tresoldi

Tresoldi has played his international football for Germany at various youth levels, including 12 goals in 24 caps for the Under-21 side, but is still technically eligible for the Azzurri.

That situation will continue for the next few months, because he has not been included in the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada.

Instead, Nick Woltemade got the nod from coach Julian Nagelsmann.

“Tresoldi was very, very close to making the squad. He’s not a classic target man, but he’s a classic striker. He was extremely close, but in the end he didn’t make the squad because in that case we had to leave someone else out. It’s not easy,” said Nagelsmann in his press conference.

It could give Italy a crucial opportunity to convince Tresoldi that he’d get more regular playing time with them than Die Mannschaft.

It’s reported that his decision to play for Germany was fuelled by a rejection from the Italy national team scouts at Under-17 level, who thought he was not up to their standards.

Meanwhile, there is the possibility that Argentina could also try to get him to play for them.

Jonathan Rowe impressed for Bologna against Aston Villa, and now the Europa League winners want him for next season, claims Telegraph Sport.

The only three games that Bologna lost in the entire Europa League campaign were to the eventual victors, who lifted the trophy in Istanbul last night after beating SC Freiburg 3-0.

That success also means that Villa have qualified for the Champions League next term and are ready to invest heavily to reinforce Unai Emery’s squad.

Rowe wanted by Aston Villa

According to Telegraph Sport, one of their primary targets for the summer is Bologna winger Rowe.

An England Under-21 international who turned 23 in April, he came to the Stadio Dall’Ara in late August at a cost of €17m plus add-ons, including a 10 per cent cut of the future sale.

His departure from Olympique Marseille was because of a locker room brawl with teammate Adrien Rabiot, which saw both of them sold to Serie A clubs, the France international going to Milan.

Rowe is a product of the Norwich City youth academy and made the switch to Marseille in 2024.

He scored eight goals with five assists in 42 competitive games for Bologna this season, but doesn’t have the best relationship with coach Vincenzo Italiano.

They have often expressed frustration with each other, the player at being benched, the coach at how Rowe doesn’t have the same intensity in training that he does in a match situation.

If Aston Villa do want to secure Rowe, then it will cost them in the region of €40m.

The referees and VAR officials have been assigned for the final round of Serie A games, including Luca Zufferli for Torino-Juventus and Simone Sozza at Verona-Roma.

Going into the last round of the season, there is still one relegation spot, two in the Champions League and two Europa League slots to be assigned.

All the fixtures with decisive results for those targets will be played simultaneously to ensure fairness at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST) on Sunday evening.

Serie A targets still to be decided

The Lega Serie A and Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) announced who will have the unenviable task of officiating these big games.

If Roma and Milan win, then they will guarantee a top four finish, leaving Juventus and Como in the Europa League.

There is one point separating Cremonese from Lecce in the fight to avoid relegation.

Serie A Week 38 referees

Fiorentina vs. Atalanta (Perri, VAR Di Bello)

Bologna vs. Inter (Bonacina, VAR Pezzuto)

Lazio vs. Pisa (Ferrieri Caputi, VAR Ghersini)

Parma vs. Sassuolo (Turrini, VAR Giua)

Napoli vs. Udinese (Zanotti, VAR Prontera)

Cremonese vs. Como (Maresca, VAR Gariglio)

Lecce vs. Genoa (Doveri, VAR Mazzoleni)

Milan vs. Cagliari (Guida, VAR Abisso)

Torino vs. Juventus (Zufferli, VAR Di Paolo)

Verona vs. Roma (Sozza, VAR Meraviglia)

Thiago Silva is a free agent after leaving FC Porto, but it’s reported Milan have offered him a new contract ahead of his 42^nd birthday, with a Chelsea managerial proposal too.

The Brazilian is of course no stranger to San Siro, having played there from 2009 to 2012.

He was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for €42m, then moved on to Chelsea, Fluminense and in January returned to Europa as a free agent for FC Porto.

Thiago Silva return to Milan?

It was announced today that his contract will not be renewed, so he is available again from June 30 and might not necessarily be hanging up his boots yet, despite the fact he is set to turn 42 in September.

The Brazilian made 14 appearances this term, starting 12 of them.

According to ESPN Brazil, Milan have made an offer for a new one-year contract for his return to the Rossoneri after 14 years.

It isn’t entirely surprising, considering they had also made an approach in January.

There is another alternative that might be more tempting, which is to retire and begin working in the Chelsea youth academy.

It would allow him to start his post-playing career as a coach at a club he also knows well thanks to four years there from 2020 to 2024.

The idea of Inter exchanging Davide Frattesi with Roma midfielder Manu Koné has been floated before and is reportedly back on the agenda this summer.

It is absolutely no secret that the Nerazzurri wanted Koné last summer and again in the January transfer window, but were always rebuffed by the Giallorossi.

At the same time, Frattesi was proposed as part of an exchange deal plus cash, but again it never quite went through.

Kone-Frattesi exchange still an idea

La Gazzetta dello Sport insist the same package is on the table again, especially as Roma must register significant profits by June 30 to stick with the UEFA settlement agreement.

Roma paid €18m plus €2m in bonuses to sign Koné from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024 and his value on the transfer market has since more than doubled to circa €50m.

That could go even higher if he has a good World Cup, having been called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for the tournament.

With Frattesi valued at €20-25m, Inter would need to add a significant cash sum on top to get the swap deal underway.

There is another reason for Roma to want Frattesi, because he is a product of their youth academy who was sold to Sassuolo in 2017 for €14.6m.

Juventus have reportedly decided not to offer Filip Kostic a new contract, so the Serbia international will be a free agent this summer.

There are several players with contracts running down on June 30 in Turin, most notably Dusan Vlahovic, whose situation has taken up most of the focus.

According to Corriere dello Sport transfer pundit Eleonora Trotta, Juve have opted not to propose an extension to Kostic.

It means he will be able to move on as a free agent in the summer at the age of 33.

Kostic time at Juventus is over

Kostic had joined Juventus from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 for €14.7m, but never really managed to make his mark in the Bianconeri jersey.

There was also a loan spell last season with Fenerbahce, and he returned this term to become a bit-part player, still contributing three goals and one assist in 23 competitive games.

Overall, the Serbian winger made 112 official appearances for the Old Lady, scoring six goals and providing 16 assists.

He also has 72 senior caps for his country, scoring on three occasions.

Thursday’s reports indicate that Juventus’s Fabio Miretti is the latest Italian player to be linked with a summer move to Como, who are in need of more homegrown talents ahead of their first ever experience in European competition next season. 

Miretti the latest Italian to be linked with a move to Como

Cesc Fabregas’s ambitious Como side have already confirmed that they will be competing in the Europa League at least in 2026-27, and remain in the mix for a Champions League spot heading into the final round of Serie A fixtures this weekend. 

Como have often been criticised by supporters in Italy for the total lack of homegrown, Italian talent among Fabregas’s squad. Their most-used Italian player in 2025-26 has been 32-year-old defender Edoardo Goldaniga, who has featured for just 104 minutes across all competitions this term. 

This is an issue ahead of Como’s European adventure, as UEFA regulations specify that competing teams must have a minimum quota of club- and association-trained players in their 25-man ‘A’ lists. 

That means that Como are left looking at available Italian talents to add to their ranks this summer. 

Andrea Cambiaso is among the initial names to be linked with a move to the Stadio Sinigaglia, but reports on Thursday claim that Barcelona are now also among the interested parties. Recent updates claim that Fiorentina’s Fabiano Parisi and Lazio’s Luca Pellegrini are alternative options if Como go for a different Italian profile at full-back. 

Reports from Calciomercato.com claim that Juventus’s Miretti is also an option for Como’s midfield.

Miretti has made 22 appearances in Serie A this season, chipping in with a goal and two assists. He also has seven appearances in the Champions League to his name this term. 

There are several other names that are already being linked with a potential summer move to Como, including plenty of, but not entirely limited to Italians. 

Among them are Bologna’s Nicolo Cambiaghi, Pietro Comuzzo, Alessandro Marcandalli, Andres Cuenca, Cesar Palacios and Andreas Schjelderup.

Victor Lindelof won the Europa League with Aston Villa, but his season could’ve been so very different, as Fiorentina director Daniele Pradè revealed ‘we embarrassed him’ by dropping his deal.

The Swede had been a free agent last summer when his contract with Manchester United came to a conclusion, ending his eight-year spell at Old Trafford.

The central defender had been all set to sign for Fiorentina in Serie A, with the medicals booked and the negotiations completed.

Why Lindelof didn’t join Fiorentina

However, the deal collapsed at the last minute because Lindelof was meant to be the replacement for Pietro Comuzzo, who then refused to make the planned transfer.

“We embarrassed Lindelof, but it was all tied to the departure of Comuzzo, who chose to say no to Al-Hilal,” revealed then-Fiorentina director of sport Pradè.

“Simone Inzaghi really wanted him in the team, and they had offered us €35m, but Comuzzo turned them down.”

Instead, Lindelof was left to wait until transfer deadline day before Aston Villa snapped him up as a free agent.

The 31-year-old made only 27 competitive appearances this season, contributing one assist, but proved decisive in his new tactical role as a midfielder.

He was in the starting XI for last night’s 3-0 Europa League Final victory over SC Freiburg in that position.

Reports continue to grow that Max Allegri is on the Napoli shortlist to take over from Antonio Conte, as director of sport Giovanni Manna is meeting the Milan coach for dinner.

Conte has dropped very heavy hints that he is leaving at the end of this season, and Sky Sport Italia note that a barbecue has been organised at the training ground to say goodbye to their boss.

While Maurizio Sarri is a primary candidate to replace him, the rumours around Allegri are growing fast, having already been in talks last summer before Conte decided to stay on.

Allegri targeted by Napoli again

With the tension sky high at Milan and uncertainty evident, Napoli are making a concerted effort to convince their coach to come to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

According to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, President Aurelio De Laurentiis sent director of sport Manna to Milan for a dinner meeting with Allegri over the last few days.

They already worked together at Juventus, so know each other well, and the proposal was a similar two-year contract to the one that was already offered last summer.

While Milan are eager to keep Allegri, at least patron Gerry Cardinale is, the coach wants certain guarantees from the transfer market before accepting.

He is not prepared to remain if Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Giorgio Furlani continue to dominate the strategy.

Lazio have released a video with Pedro’s farewell message to the club and will wear a special edition patch on their jersey in his final game.

The Spain international will celebrate his 39^th birthday in July and becomes a free agent, but it is by no means yet certain if he will hang up his boots this summer.

Pedro goodbye message

Legend. Laziale. Forever. #AvantiLazio pic.twitter.com/lHwHhtGoyG

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) May 21, 2026

“Today is a very sad day for me, because I say goodbye to this journey and the splendid Lazio family,” read Pedro in the official video.

“I want to thank all the fans, the players, the coaches and the whole club, dependents and collaborators included, for allowing me to be part of the glorious history of this club.

“It’s true that I did not bring trophies to what I consider to be a marvellous home, but I always defended the jersey with courage, humility, ambition and passion, along with my teammates. I am sure that soon you will celebrate something important with these great men and players.

“Every time I set foot onto the pitch, I looked up and proudly admired our people. Every emotion I experienced, every unforgettable goal, every song that was sung together, are moments that will remain etched in my memory.

“Against Pisa it will be my final game in this jersey, so I expect you all at the stadium and hope you can be by my side. However, I also understand that this year has been difficult and complicated for everyone, so I have the utmost respect for your decision.

“It was a real honour to wear this shirt and the club logo on my chest, I wish you all the best, my Lazio family, I will carry you forever in my heart.

“One of you, forever Forza Lazio!”

The reference to the fans is because the ultras have for months been boycotting the home matches in protest at President Claudio Lotito’s handling of the club.

They suspended it only for the Coppa Italia Final against Inter, but look set to abandon the stands again this weekend.

Lazio players will wear a special patch on the jersey against Pisa depicting Pedro.

Aggiungi la speciale patch di Pedro in omaggio!

https://t.co/80iA9Qxi4i #AvantiLazio pic.twitter.com/Y6qrHMXUXA

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) May 21, 2026

He came up through the Barcelona youth academy and became a start for the Blaugrana, completing a transfer to Chelsea in 2015.

Pedro came to Italy for Roma at first in 2010, then a year later was allowed to cross the city to their bitter rivals Lazio, again free of charge.

It was a decision the Giallorossi would regret, especially as he flourished there with 38 goals and 19 assists in 208 competitive matches, most famously in the 3-2 Derby della Capitale victory against Roma in September 2021.

Former Juventus director Francesco Calvo was part of the Aston Villa delegation celebrating their victory in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, but the former Bianconeri executive insists that he is too busy in his current role to watch any Italian football: ‘English football is so intense’.

Aston Villa won their first European title in 44 years with a resounding 3-0 victory against SC Freiburg in Wednesday’s final in Istanbul: Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers with the goals. 

Among Aston Villa’s executive staff is Juventus’s former director of revenue and institutional relations, Calvo. The Italian has previously held roles with Barcelona and Roma. 

• Read more: Calvo: Who is the ex-Juventus, Roma and Barça director appointed by Aston Villa

Ex-Juventus director Calvo reacts to Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph

Calvo expressed his joy at Aston Villa’s latest European triumph in a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia: “The club has been waiting for 44 years for this, it’s an historic night for Birmingham and for Aston Villa,” he said. 
Villa head coach Unai Emery has now won the Europa League a staggering five times with three different clubs, all with ‘Villa’ in their name – Villarreal, Sevilla and Aston Villa. 

“Unai is an incredible professional,” said Calvo. “He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. He tells us every day that we have to improve. He’s a unique professional.” 

Calvo believes that it is Villa’s togetherness that got them over the line in the Europa League. 

“We definitely have a lot of strong players, the (strength of the) group is our main characteristic and that has kept us going, especially in the tough moments.” 

The Italian also feels that Aston Villa are now firmly ‘back on the map’ among the big sides in the Premier League and beyond. 

“Absolutley. Including the next one, it’s now four seasons that we’ve consecutively been in Europe. We’re happy and the important thing is to stay there.” 

Calvo was in a mood for celebrating after full-time, and wasn’t particularly interested in analysing the struggles that the Italian teams have faced in Europe this season: “English football is so intense that I don’t watch much Italian football. Let’s enjoy the evening.” 

Despite being part of the Inter squad that won the domestic double in 2025-26, centre-back Yann Aurel Bisseck has not done enough to convince Julian Nagelsmann to call him up to the Germany national team squad for the 2026 World Cup. 

The 25-year-old defender spoke recently about his ambitions to make the Germany World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament in North America, but he has not been included in Nagelsmann’s final 26-man squad list, which was published on Thursday. 

There are no Serie A representatives included in Germany’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. 

Opportunities in the Germany national team set-up have been hard to come by for Bisseck, who still has just one cap to his name. 

Bisseck made 25 appearances across all competitions for Inter this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists from 22 Serie A outings, and turning out seven times in the Champions League. 

“I hope that the success and my performances will be seen in Germany,” Bisseck said in a recent interview with BILD. “It’s my second title in three years and it’s the first time since 2018 that a team has won the double in Italy. Of course that makes me really proud and very happy.”

He later continued:” I’m sure that the national team coach knows what he’s looking for and what he wants to see in his team. I try to do my job as best as possible. I think I’ve done that and that I’ve achieved the maximum with the double in Italy. 

“My goal and my dream is to be at the World Cup and wear the Germany shirt. If it works out, I’d be incredibly happy.”  

Confirmed Germany squad for 2026 World Cup: No Bisseck

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nubel. 

Defenders: Waldamir Anton, Nathaniel Brown, David Raum, Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Malick Thiaw. 

Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri, Leon Goretzka, Pascal Gross, Joshua Kimmich, Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Angelo Stiller. 

Forwards: Maximilian Beier, Kai Havertz, Lennart Karl, Jamie Leweling, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, Deniz Undav, Florian Wirtz, Nick Woltemade.

Gemeinsam für Deutschland: Unser Kader für die WM 2026! #dfbteam #fifaworldcup2026 pic.twitter.com/zaxWgXsGGv

— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) May 21, 2026

Reports in Italy claim that Manchester United are pushing ahead with their plans to complete the signings of midfielders Ederson from Atalanta and Italy international Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United this coming transfer window. 

Manchester United want both Tonali and Ederson

Both Tonali and Ederson are said to be seeking moves away from their current clubs this summer as neither Atalanta nor Newcastle will be taking part in next season’s Champions League. 

Reports from Gianluca Di Marzio claim that United are ‘confident’ they will be able to pull off an ambitious double deal to revamp Michael Carrick’s midfield department. 

United are certainly in the market for a midfielder to replace Casemiro, who bid farewell to Old Trafford during the team’s final home match of the season last weekend. Ederson has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several seasons, and recent reports indicate that this summer may be the window where Atalanta decide to cash in. 

Depending on the source, reports claim that La Dea will entertain bids in the region of €40m-€50m for the Brazilian this summer. 

Tonali has also had admirers in Manchester in recent seasons. The former Milan midfielder will not be playing in next season’s Champions League as things stand, Newcastle sitting in 11th place heading into the final week of Premier League fixtures. 

Recent updates in Italy claim that Newcastle will seek a fee in excess of €90m for the Italy international, though.

Roberto Baggio has explained why he did not see eye-to-eye with Marcello Lippi during his time at Inter towards the end of his career, and says that the former coach tried to get him to ‘spy’ on his teammates in the dressing room. 

Baggio told the story of his turbulent relationship with Lippi in an extract from his recently-released autobiography, titled Luce nell’oscurita. 

Baggio spent two seasons with Inter between 1998 and 2000, and in his second season in San Siro, he reunited with Lippi. The pair had previously worked together at Juventus between 1994 and 1995. 

However, the pair did not always see eye to eye, and Baggio says that he was put in a difficult position when the coach asked him to report on his teammates’ behaviour in the dressing room. 

Baggio also says that he was ‘put on public trial’ in front of his teammates after criticising Lippi in a newspaper interview in which he described Inter as a ‘Ferrari being driven by a traffic warden’. 

Baggio on his turbulent relationship with Lippi at Inter: ‘Don’t ask anything more from me’

“Marcello Lippi wanted to speak to me in March and asked me to give him the names of the players who might be going against him in the dressing room,” Baggio wrote (via Calciomercato.com).

“I replied in my own way: ‘Mister, I train to the maximum, you evaluate whether or not I deserve to play, but don’t ask anything else from me.

“Annoyed, Lippi tried to provoke me, to get a reaction from me. One day he shouted at me in an arrogant and aggressive manner: ‘Phenomeno, tell me the teammates that don’t suit you’. I replied with the utmost calmness: ‘Mister, tell my teammates what you asked me to do’. 

“After I made a joke to a journalist saying that Inter were like a Ferrari being driven by a traffic warden, I was put on public trial in front of my teammates when we returned to training. 

“But then Lippi was practically forced to play me in the play-off against Parma in Verona for Champions League qualification. I scored the two decisive goals. 

“I played for my team, to honour the shirt and the fans. I was just doing my duty, with the same passion I always had: To play football and to entertain the supporters.”

Juventus have reportedly decided to fine both Manuel Locatelli and Dusan Vlahovic after the Bianconeri pair were seen arguing on the pitch during the team’s costly 2-0 defeat against Fiorentina in Serie A over the weekend. 

Vlahovic and Locatelli fined after Juventus 0-2 Fiorentina argument

The Old Lady were beaten 2-0 in their own backyard after goals from Cher Ndour and Rolando Mandragora against Fiorentina on Sunday, which has left the team in sixth place and two points shy of the top four heading into the final round of 2025-26 fixtures. 

Juventus now need favours from multiple sides on the final day if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League. 

The disappointment during and after the Fiorentina match was clear for all to see. Supporters voiced their frustrations after the full-time whistle and the players themselves were clearly unhappy with the way things were going while the match was still being played. 

At one stage, Vlahovic and Locatelli were seen exchanging frustrated words with each other, waving their arms about as they shouted at each other across the pitch. 

According to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have decided to take disciplinary action against both players in the form of a fine. This was a choice made ‘mutually’ by head coach Luciano Spalletti and the Bianconeri directors. 

Reports elsewhere suggest that Vlahovic and Locatelli will be fined €40,000 each.

Genoa have officially announced the signing of striker Lorenzo Colombo on a permanent deal from Milan following a successful loan spell in 2025-26, which is set to benefit the Rossoneri to the tune of €10m. 

Official: Milan sell Colombo to Genoa on permanent basis

Colombo joined Genoa on loan with a potential obligation to buy at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. There had been reports that the release clause would be triggered in the event that Genoa secured Serie A survival and that the striker scored five or more goals in the league. The 24-year-old is up to seven goals from 37 outings in Serie A this term. 

Genoa have confirmed that Colombo has put pen to paper on a three-year contract, running until the summer of 2029. 

Reports at the time of Colombo’s loan move to Genoa confirmed that the obligation to buy clause was for €10m.

Despite the fact that he has only made five top-flight appearances for Milan, this is Colombo’s first permanent move away from the Rossoneri, having spent the last 16 years on the club’s books. He has spent the last five seasons out on loan, with Cremonese, SPAL, Lecce, Monza, Empoli and most recently Genoa. 

“I wanted to form a bond with a club, a team and a place like this and I will do my best to repay the trust and support that the club, coach, my teammates and the fans have shown me,” Colombo said in a statement on the Genoa website. 

“I’m happy to continue playing in the Rossoblu jersey. Genoa is Genoa. I’m obsessed with the atmosphere that we see in the stadium every game and I’m aware of the heritage that we represent for tens of thousands of supporters.”

The line-up for the Serie B promotion play-off final has been set, as Catanzaro secured their spot after defeating Palermo on Wednesday evening, and will go on to face Monza to battle it out for a spot in the top flight for 2026-27. 

Monza vs. Catanzaro in Serie B promotion play-off final

Catanzaro were beaten 2-0 by Palermo on Wednesday night, but still secured qualification to the play-off final thanks to their 3-0 victory at home in the first leg. Joel Pohjanpalo and Rui Modesto scored the goals for Palermo last night, Pietro Iemello (x2) and Mattia Liberali scored the goals for Catanzaro over the weekend. 

Catanzaro finished the Serie B regular season in fifth place, and therefore had to go through an extra round of the play-offs, defeating Avellino 3-0 in a single-legged knock-out match earlier this month. 

They will now go on to face Monza for a spot in Serie A next season. Monza finished the regular season in third place in Serie B, which meant that they qualified directly for the play-off semi-finals. They were held to a 2-2 draw by Juve Stabia in their first leg away from home and claimed a 2-1 victory in the second leg on Tuesday night. 

Catanzaro and Monza will go on to face each other over two legs of the play-off final later this month. Catanzaro will host the first leg on Sunday, May 24 and Monza will have the home advantage for the second leg on Friday, May 29.

Thursday’s reports claim that Juventus CEO Damien Comolli has postponed several meetings with club employees this week ahead of a round of decisive talks with owner John Elkann. 

Comolli heading for ‘inevitable’ Juventus exit

Comolli’s future at Juventus is in doubt after just one season in Turin, as the Bianconeri look set to miss out on Champions League qualification for 2026-27. The team find themselves in sixth place, two points shy of the top four and requiring favours from multiple teams heading into the final round of Serie A fixtures this weekend. 

Comolli’s transfers from last summer have not impressed, particularly Lois Openda and Edon Zhegrova, there have been suggestions that he does not see eye-to-eye with head coach Luciano Spalletti and there has been criticism of his decision-making and leadership qualities. 

Both Spalletti and Comolli are due to meet with Elkann immediately after the 2025-26 season comes to an end, on Tuesday specifically according to the latest updates.

Thursday’s reports from Tuttosport claim that without Champions League football next season, Comolli’s position at the helm of Juventus will be untenable, but that the decision ultimately lies with Elkann. 

Tuttosport also claims that Comolli has postponed a series of meetings, firstly with the scouting department on Monday and then a general meeting with the club’s employees on Tuesday, ahead of his decisive talks with Elkann next week.  

Thursday’s report claims that this is all pointing towards an ‘inevitable’ scenario where Comolli leaves the club after one season in charge.

Thursday’s reports claim that Paulo Dybala is set to accept a significant reduction in wages in order to extend his stay with Roma for another season, despite strong interest in the Argentine from Boca Juniors. 

Dybala expected to stay with Roma for 2026-27

La Joya is currently due to be out of contract at the end of June, and there had been reported interest from Argentine giants Boca Juniors as well as from Fenerbahce. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, however, that Dybala is set to stay with the Giallorossi and that there could be an official announcement regarding his future at the beginning of next week. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Dybala is set to sign a one-year contract extension, potentially with an option to extend for a further year, with fixed wages in the region of €2.5m per season, not including bonuses related to goals and appearances. 

The 32-year-old has previously been earning a base salary of around €8m per year, but is reportedly willing to take a significant pay cut to stay in the capital, aware that he is into the latter stages of his career and that injuries have been a constant issue for several years. 

Thursday’s report claims that it has never been a matter of money for Dybala, though. He is said to want to stay and help with the team’s expected Champions League journey next season, and also feels settled in Rome with his young family, his first daughter born in March. 

Roma are also happy to keep Dybala and his experience in the dressing room. His presence has certainly come in handy in recent weeks: Roma hit their rockiest form of the season in March while the Argentine was out nursing a knee injury, but have since picked up four wins on the spin since he has returned to the matchday squad.

Reports in Italy claim that Bayern Munich are considering a summer move for Inter defender Yann Bisseck, and that the Nerazzurri are hoping to bring in two Serie A replacements should the German head back to his homeland during the transfer window. 

Bayern keen on Inter’s Bisseck

Inter are set to part company with several senior figures in their defensive line this summer: Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi will leave the club at the end of their contracts in June and a decision has not yet been made over Stefan De Vrij, also out of contract next month. But, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that another ‘big name’ could be sold to help facilitate new arrivals. 

Alessandro Bastoni had been linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, but the Italy international now seems inclined to stay in San Siro. Now, reports indicate that Bayern Munich are keen on Bisseck instead. 

The 25-year-old centre-back has recently switched agents, which La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests is no coincidence. He has recently given an interview discussing his ambitions for more opportunities with the Germany national team as well, with just one cap to his name thus far. 

There had been reported interest in Bisseck from Crystal Palace last summer, but the Premier League outfit were not prepared to go beyond the €30m mark. La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the asking price from the Nerazzurri this time around is now in the region of €40m following the 2025-26 Serie A and Coppa Italia double. 

If Inter are to sell a first-team defender this summer, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that they want to bring in both Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo and Oumar Solet from Udinese.

Thursday’s reports claim that Juventus are set to miss out on the signing of Bernardo Silva as a free agent without qualification to next season’s Champions League, which appears unlikely heading into the final round of 2025-26 Serie A fixtures. 

Bernardo Silva slipping away from Juventus

Juventus had been among the frontrunners to land the signature of the Portugal international, who will be leaving Manchester City after nine seasons and six Premier League titles once his contract expires at the end of June. 

However, according to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport and various other outlets, the signing of Bernardo Silva is now slipping away from the Bianconeri without access to the Champions League and amidst interest from abroad, especially from Atletico Madrid. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Bernardo Silva’s agent, Jorge Mendes, already had strong demands for his client, eyeing a three-year contract with a ‘double-digit’ salary, i.e. in excess of €10m per season. The Pink Paper claims that this was always a stretch for Juventus and practically impossible without Champions League revenues. 

That is on top of interest from Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who are guaranteed Champions League football, and are also based closer to Bernardo Silva’s home in Portugal, which is said to be an important factor in the decision over his next club. 

The situation leaves Juventus looking at alternative options elsewhere. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the Old Lady are now interested in two former Milan players instead of Bernardo SIlva: One being Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders, already looking like he may be on the sidelines of the project at the Etihad Stadium. Another is former Rossoneri loanee Brahim Diaz, still with Real Madrid. 

Reports in Italy claim that Barcelona are considering a summer swoop for Italy international Andrea Cambiaso, and that Juventus’s asking price is significantly lower than it was this time last year. 

Could Barcelona move for Juventus’s Cambiaso?

SportMediaset claims that Cambiaso is a player that Hansi Flick appreciates due to his positional and tactical versatility and that negotiations between Juventus and Barcelona could take off in the coming weeks. 

The 26-year-old had been subject of transfer interest from Manchester City during the 2024-25 season, reports at the time claiming Juventus were after a fee in the region of €70m. 

The most recent updates suggest that the Bianconeri are inclined to listen to offers in the region of €50m this time around, aware of the fact that they may have to lower their demands without Champions League football next season. 

Cambiaso signed a five-year contract extension with Juventus at the end of the 2024-25 season and is reportedly on wages worth around €2.5m per season. He has three years remaining on that deal, expiring in June of 2029. 

Cambiaso has featured in all 35 of the Serie A matches he has been available for this season, starting in 34 of them and only missing two through suspension heading into the final round of 2025-26 fixtures this weekend. He has chipped in with three goals and four assists in the league this campaign.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Only Max

Milan want to keep Allegri 

The meeting with Cardinale coming soon. Goretzka signs, then the striker. 

What a duel for Sarri. Atalanta blitz, Napoli ultimatum

Inter: The new defence 

Bayern on Bisseck. Solet could also come in with Muharemovic

Bernardo, no to Juve

Without the Champions League, the Portuguese will chose Atletico

Corriere dello Sport 

Owls over Comolli

Market flops: The CEO at risk, Bernardo Silva could fade away 

Juve change | Champions League almost compromised: Elkann faced with another turnaround 

The French director is a hot topic. Openda and Zhegrova failed. Koop also going. The Portuguese doesn’t want to play in the Europa League: Atletico Madrid offer him Griezmann’s position 

Napoli, DeLa now in a hurry 

The post-Conte decision 

Sarri isn’t convinced, Atalanta pressing. Aurelio is ready to go for Allegri or Italiano again 

Milan anxiety: The Max bill 

Without three big names in Cagliari 

Leao, Tomori and Fofana on the bench: Allegri wants to play for the Champions League with his trusted group

Inter, the prize is Palestra 

Ausilio in action 

The full-back at the top of Chivu’s list: He could become the deputy to Dumfries and Dimarco. Atalanta reflect and wait for the arrival of Giuntoli 

Roma, final denied 

Champions League adrenaline: Only 1,500 supporters in Verona 

Away matches banned from the end of January: The idea is to put a giant screen in the capital 

Catanzaro dreaming of Serie A, Palermo tears 

The Aqilani get through 

The Calabresi lost 2-0 but still make it through: They will play for promotion against Monza on May 24 and May 29

Emery collection: Fifth Europa League

Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa

Tuttosport 

No Champions League, No Comolli 

All of the CEO’s meetings have been cancelled, the top of the Juve hierarchy will report to Elkann on Tuesday 

John wants to wait for the outcome of the derby, to personally assess the situation at Continassa and to settle the scores. Spalletti meets with the fans, he takes his responsibility but he wants a central role and awaits the help of a new director (Tognozzi?) with whom he can build a relationship with, different to the Frenchman. Tacchinardi: ‘We need Del Piero’. Peace between Locatelli and Vlahovic

‘This is how Italian football will be reborn’

Golden Boy in Solomeo: Faith in the future and youth 

From Malago to Capello, from Paratici to Gama, from Cuesta to the 2006 World Cup champions, the event will take place at home. Cucinelli launches the Tuttosport award for the best U21 in Europe. ‘Unleash talent, reset the system’. 100 candidates have been listed. The former CONI President: ‘The next CT will be a big name’ 

Paleari dreams of another derby played like the true Toro, and Ismajli will be there 

A new goalkeeper will come in 

The Albanian is ready to return to the defence that is struggling again. Obrador, Ebosse and Prati are playing for their futures. Moving ahead for Falcone and Montipo. Ilic going to Germany?

Aston Villa, what a triumph! It’s the Europa Emery League 

3-0 against Freiburg: Fifth title for the Basque coach 

Catanzaro nerves: They resist and will play against Monza for Serie A 

2-0 is not enough for Palermo: Brawls and Caos

Roma have reportedly identified Antonio Nusa of RB Leipzig, West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville and Mason Greenwood of Olympique Marseille as potential reinforcements.

The Giallorossi decided to push advisor Claudio Ranieri and director of sport Frederic Massara aside this summer to follow the vision of coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

That means the new signings will be players specifically requested by him, with players more suited to his style of football already seen with Atalanta.

Roma looking for reinforcements

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the primary target is Nusa, who had already been approached last summer and in January only to be put off by the €60m asking price.

It is claimed that the cost has since dropped by around €10m, so the 21-year-old would be within reach, especially if Matias Soulé was sold first.

Liverpool and Milan have also been linked with the Norway international, who scored five goals with four assists in 35 competitive games this season.

There are other wide men required too by Roma, and they are looking around for bargains.

Summerville could be available for cheap if West Ham United are relegated from the Premier League.

The 24-year-old can play on the left or right, contributing seven goals and four assists in 33 games for the Hammers this season.

Roma hope that the fact he shares an agency with January signing Donyell Malen can give them a leg up in the negotiations for Summerville.

A more expensive option is Greenwood, who had been linked with Serie A before coming to Olympique Marseille.

Due to his history off the field, a return to the Premier League is unlikely, but the 24-year-old’s form on the pitch is impressive with 26 goals and 11 assists in 45 games this term.

He is in a tense situation with Marseille and has long been admired for his playing style by Roma coach Gasperini.

Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella thanks Inter for letting ‘most important’ Hakan Calhanoglu leave early ahead of the World Cup, but admits they are ‘worried’ about Juventus talent Kenan Yildiz.

Italian tactician Montella was in attendance this evening at the Europa League Final between Freiburg and Aston Villa, which is being hosted in Istanbul.

He spoke to Sky Sport Italia and commented on preparations for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada this summer.

Montella preparing Turkiye for World Cup

“The World Cup is a brief tournament, so it’s all about your form when you get there,” said Montella.

“Incidents can be decisive, but that is true both for the underdogs and the favourites for the trophy. Our objective is to get through the group stage, but we know that anything can happen in a one-off match.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm and confidence, but we mustn’t let it slip over into euphoria.”

The most talented young player in the squad is Kenan Yildiz, who has performed well at Juventus overall since taking the iconic Number 10 jersey, but has been struggling with fitness issues.

He has had a recurring inflammation that made it difficult for him to train regularly.

“Yildiz is 21 years old and I hope for his sake it will be the first of many World Cup adventures,” said Montella.

“He had a few problems in his knee over the last couple of months that do not allow him to train at 100 per cent. I hope he can make a full recovery, we are a little bit worried about him, but he’s certainly not short on enthusiasm.”

Inter midfielder Calhanoglu also had recent injury concerns, so with the Scudetto and Coppa Italia already won, his club decided to let him leave a week early for international duty.

“I found out that he arrived in Istanbul today, so I thank Inter and the player, who will allow us to work with him from Friday. I hope he can rediscover the ideal form to play in the World Cup.

“Calhanoglu is one of our most important players, probably the most important.”

Inter have decided to let all the players going to the World Cup have an extra week off, so they won’t be involved in the final game of the season.

Lazio President Claudio Lotito lashed out at everyone from coach Maurizio Sarri to his players and the fans boycotting the games. ‘They soil their shorts.’

The tension within the Aquile camp is sky high after even the last opportunity to salvage their season went begging, losing the Coppa Italia Final 2-0 to Inter.

They have failed to qualify for European football for the second year in a row, and coach Sarri is not shy about his frustration with the club strategy.

Lotito fury at everyone around Lazio

“Sarri has a contract with Lazio, I am the President of the club, so what do you want from me? Ask him. The coach has a contract with us, end of story,” Lotito told reporters this evening at an event.

Following the defeat to Roma in the Derby della Capitale, the President also did not hold back in his criticism of the players.

“Inter didn’t do anything to win the Coppa Italia, we did it all for them with an own goal and a gift of a pass, then we missed three sitters. Against Roma we concede two identical goals from corners, do we want to put someone on the field who can mark? I’m not the one on the pitch…

“If the players had my guts, the game would be over, we’d dominate matches. The problem is that when they get on the pitch, they soil their shorts.”

The fans were in attendance for the Coppa Italia, but continued their boycott of the home games for the derby with rivals Roma, preferring to gather outside the Stadio Olimpico.

When asked if he will try to find common ground and resolve the strike, Lotito again lashed out.

“I have been the President for 22 years, I’ve won six trophies, taken Lazio back into Europe, we can have a season where things don’t go as well.

“I am working for Lazio, I presented the plan for the new Stadio Flaminio, I am finishing the Academy, what more do they want from me? I’m floating the club shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York, with a new stadium we’d reach €3m in revenue, so the rest is just idle chatter.

“I am working to make this club autonomous, immortal and independent. So don’t ask me why the fans don’t come to the stadium, ask them. They don’t want to come? Then they can stay away.

“Perhaps there aren’t enough Lazio fans in Rome, but there are many all over the world, even in China.”

Lotito had the same attitude as in recent months when told Sarri disagreed with the transfer strategy.

“The fan has to cheer on his team, the coach needs to coach his players, I am the President and I do my job. I have to protect the history of Lazio, I cannot let it go bankrupt.”

Italy international Sandro Tonali took a few days off from Newcastle United and used it to cheer on his childhood club Brescia in the Serie C play-offs.

The midfielder celebrated his 26^th birthday earlier this month and was given some time to relax ahead of the final round of the Premier League season.

He took the opportunity to return home, but couldn’t keep away from football for long.

Brescia welcome Tonali back home

Tonali was a special guest of Union Brescia and was in the stands cheering them on in the Serie C play-off against Casarano at the Stadio Rigamonti.

He joined the Brescia youth academy at the age of 12 and moved his way up the ranks, becoming a regular in the senior squad.

It allowed him to get a move to his dream club Milan in 2020, the side he had always supported, and then on to Newcastle United in the summer of 2023.

Brescia have changed a lot in that time too, as the club went bankrupt in June 2025 and were excluded from the Serie C tournament.

They were reborn as Union Brescia last summer and are now battling for promotion with a special fan in the stands.

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Prospective Fenerbahce President Hakan Safi has confirmed reports he met with Paolo Maldini to discuss a new role. ‘We will do beautiful things together.’

With the election for the President of the Turkish club coming up, candidates are trying to give fans reasons to back them as the new leader after missing out on the title to rivals Galatasaray.

Hakan Safi was spotted on Italian soil over the last few weeks, where he had a meeting at Casa Milan with Rossoneri directors.

It was also reported that he had dinner with former Milan director Maldini, and it is something that he finally confirmed in a podcast interview on his private jet.

Fenerbahce candidate had Maldini talks

“We sat down with Maldini and talked,” confirmed Safi.

“He will be our football brain in the world, our football ambassador. We will do beautiful things together. In the transfers I will make in future, we will benefit from the presence of Maldini.”

The former Milan and Italy player has always said he does not see himself working with any club other than the Diavolo, where he spent his entire career.

However, if it was a side outside of Serie A, then he might be more amenable.

After all, he has been a part owner of Miami FC since 2015, before he became technical director with the Rossoneri from 2019 to 2023.

Milan and Monza legend Adriano Galliani outlines the problems with Italian football and takes a sideswipe at Inter’s Calciopoli title. ‘The only time in history where those in third finished first.’

The former CEO spent over three decades by Silvio Berlusconi’s side, first at Milan, then in their next adventure together at Monza.

There are currently reports that he could make a return to San Siro as an additional advisor to Gerry Cardinale and RedBird, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Giorgio Furlani could be moving on.

Meanwhile, Galliani was attending an event today and spoke to the reporters about the problems with modern Calcio.

Galliani identifies issues with Calcio

“The clubs that won the Champions League in recent years have double the revenue of the biggest Italian clubs,” Galliani told Calciomercato.

“Real Madrid’s revenue is €1.2 billion, while the best Italian sides can do is €400-500m including profits from player sales.”

There were no Serie A representatives in the semi-finals of the three UEFA competitions, and only Bologna and Fiorentina got into the quarter-finals.

“We used to win because we had the best players. The last Ballon d’Or winner from Serie A was Kaka in 2007,” noted Galliani.

It again comes down to the lack of revenue, so what is causing the huge gap in finances?

“There are a few reasons why Serie A struggles to sell its TV rights abroad. The Premier League is fine because so many around the world speak English, while LaLiga is sold to the Spanish-speaking countries. Nobody really speaks Italian outside of Italy, other than parts of Switzerland,” explained Galliani.

“In order to increase revenue, the first thing we need to work on is the stadiums. A beautiful structure also helps sell TV rights, because when viewers see half-empty arenas that are crumbling, they aren’t interested.

“Serie A used to be something players aimed for, now we are a transitional league.”

There also doesn’t seem to be long between scandals, although Galliani is still not over the Calciopoli earthquake of 2006.

He was standing next to Fabio Capello at the event, the coach who saw two Serie A titles at Juventus stripped from the record.

“Capello won two titles on the field with Juventus. This was the only time in history where those who were third finished first. In Heaven, so the last shall be the first, but on Earth it was the third who became the first.”

Calciopoli left the 2024-25 title unassigned, but stripped the 2025-26 one from Juventus and handed it to Inter, who had finished third in the regular season.

This is because both Juve and Milan, who were first and second, were docked points in the scandal.

The 2026 Scudetto is often referred to as the ‘Cardboard Title’ because it was handed to Inter in this way.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz ‘still misses’ Napoli and follows all their games as he prepares for the Champions League Final against Arsenal.

The 30-year-old really made his mark at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona when completing the transfer from Real Betis in the summer of 2018.

At the time, the cost of €30m was considered huge for this club, but he delivered over four years before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.

Fabian Ruiz still fond of Napoli

“I always follow Napoli games, I go back there whenever I have a few days off, as I really miss it,” Fabian Ruiz told Sky Sport Italia.

“They won two Serie A titles since I left, I’ve still got many friends there that I talk to, and I wish them all the best. They deserve it.”

The Spain international made 166 competitive appearances in the Napoli shirt, contributing 22 goals and 15 assists.

He now has exactly 166 games under his belt for PSG too, but only 16 goals and an additional 26 assists.

Paris Saint-Germain won their first Champions League title last season, beating Inter in the Final, and now hope to retain the tournament when taking on Riccardo Calafiori’s Arsenal.

“We are immensely happy to be in the Champions League Final again, we know the difficulties involved in winning the trophy, and are up against a strong side that won the Premier League last night.

“It’ll be tough, but we have so much enthusiasm and feel ready for this occasion.”

PSG knocked Arsenal out in the semi-final last season with Fabian Ruiz on target.

“That was my first Champions League goal, it was a very difficult semi-final. We won both legs, but it is very different in a Final,” he noted.

“Luis Enrique tells us the details in every game where we can help the team to win. Bayern Munich were tough, I had to help Nuno Mendes out a bit in defence.”

According to Italian reports, Milan offered Rafael Leao to Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona, but none of the clubs seem particularly ready to spend big money for him.

The forward could well be coming to the end of his time at San Siro, because his contract only runs to June 2028 and there seems to be no sign of an extension on the horizon.

Considering the situation, this summer is the last chance to get a significant transfer fee, before the risk kicks in of losing him as a free agent.

Milan eager to find buyer for Leao

While Leao has a release clause in his contract at a reported €120m, Milan would at this stage be content to pocket €80-90m for the inconsistent talent.

However, finding a club willing to pay that fee, and which Leao would be ready to join, might be tricky.

Sportitalia claim that the Rossoneri and his agent tried to shop him around to various clubs who had shown an interest in the past, such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona.

It did not go well, as none of them seemed prepared to discuss in deeper detail.

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have been mentioned as potential clubs, along with those in Saudi Arabia, but getting Leao to agree for those moves is another matter.

The Portugal international turns 27 next month and has reached the point of his career where he is no longer a player with potential, but ought to be the finished article.

He still managed a decent enough tally of 10 goals and three assists in 30 competitive games this season, but too often seemed disinterested or frustrated with coach Max Allegri.

Leao does not fit into the 3-5-2 formation, so has been used as a centre-forward instead, limiting his capabilities.

Milan are hoping he has a good World Cup with Portugal to bump up his price tag and get clubs ready to sign him.

Italian coach Francesco Farioli is fresh from winning the league title with FC Porto and insists he’s in no rush to come back home. ‘Serie A can wait.’

The tactician only turned 37 last month and got to celebrate by winning the Liga Portugal trophy thanks to 28 victories, four draws and just two defeats.

He has had jobs in Turkish football, French and Dutch sides, missing out on the title on the final day with Ajax last season.

Farioli has flourished abroad

Never having been a head coach in Italy, could the former Sassuolo and Benevento goalkeeping trainer under Roberto De Zerbi come back to his home country?

“In all honesty, it’s not something I think about that much,” Farioli told Tuttomercatoweb.

“The curious thing is that this year I didn’t return to Italy at all, not even during my days off. My life has been completely moulded around my work, and living abroad for so many years has been an incredible experience, both on a human and professional level.

“Perhaps the real news is that for the first time I’m preparing for a second consecutive season at the same club. I only lasted one season in Nice and Amsterdam, and those were my choices.

“At Porto I’ve formed a strong bond with President Andre Villas-Boas, we share the same ideas about football, how to develop a project and the vision we want to build.

“This is why, really, I struggle to see myself anywhere else at the moment.”

So what does that mean for a return to Italian football?

“Serie A can wait.”

After all, Farioli has just extended his contract with FC Porto to June 2028, by which time he’ll still be under 40.

1982 World Cup winner Giancarlo Antognoni will serve as Italy’s delegation chief for the scheduled friendlies coming up at the beginning of June, and he has clarified a few things about the youthful Azzurri side that is set to take to the field in a few weeks’ time: ‘It won’t be the U21 side’. 

A young Italy side for June friendlies, but not just the U21 squad

Italy will not be taking part in the 2026 World Cup in North America, but still have friendlies away against Luxembourg and Greece in the calendar for June 3 and June 7 respectively. 

It will be a makeshift Italy set-up on and off the pitch: U21s coach Silvio Baldini will be in charge following the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will be joined by Antognoni, who has been called in to temporarily replace Gianluigi Buffon, who also left the Italy set-up after missing out on a World Cup spot. 

And, it is expected that Italy will name a youthful side that takes part in the June friendlies, featuring several of the players Baldini knows well from his time in charge of the U21 squad. 

There had been suggestions that Italy could seek to field a team made up entirely of representatives from the U21 squad, which reportedly angered the Greek federation. Antognoni has since clarified that this is not the case, although he has confirmed that it will be a youthful, but strong Azzurri side nonetheless. 

“I’ve read about some controversy in Greece in relation to the fact that some experienced players won’t be there. Honestly, I don’t understand it,” Antognoni said in an interview on the FIGC website. 

“It’s not a lack of respect for our opponents. It won’t be the U21 team that takes to the pitch, but a young and strong Italy side. Lots of talented players will play, some who are already permanent parts of the national team squad, and other guys that Silvio Baldini knows very well having coached them with great results with the U21s over the last nine months. 

“I’m convinced that a lot of them will be a part of the core of the national team in the near future. 

Antognoni says that he hopes a lot of the players who will play in the June friendlies will be part of the side aiming to take part in the 2030 World Cup. 

“But I’m also convinced that a lot of these guys will be called up as early as September, when Italy starts its next journey in the Nations League. 

“We’re talking about players who have already had leading roles in Serie A, the Premier League, the Bundesliga and in European competitions.” 

Among the Italy U21s with top-flight experience are Michael Kayode (Brentford), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Honest Ahanor (Atalanta), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach) Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC) and Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund). 

Antognoni ended his interview with a final pledge to the Italy supporters: “I can only say that they will be proud of these guys. Our future starts now. 

“And, let me say a few words about Silvio Baldini. He’s a great coach and a proper person. He’s deserved the opportunity to sit in the dugout of a senior national team and I’m convinced that he’s the right man to lead these youngsters into an experience they will never forget.” 

Juventus face fresh competition for the signing of Bernardo Silva, as the Manchester City midfielder is now targeted by Atletico Madrid as a free agent.

He has now confirmed that this is his final season at the Etihad after nine years with the club, as his contract will expire on June 30 and is not going to be renewed.

Bernardo Silva targeted by more than just Juventus

The player turns 32 in August, so is far from at the end of his career, and announced he is looking for a new challenge, as well as to move closer to his family in Portugal.

That all makes it a tricky situation for Juventus, who had until recently been the absolute favourites for his signature.

If they fail to qualify for the Champions League, it will make them a less appetising prospect, not to mention more difficult to justify his wages in Turin.

There were reports today that his agent offered Bernardo Silva to both Real Madrid and Barcelona, who were not particularly interested.

However, now Marca claim that Atletico Madrid have joined the race and are ready to make a proposal to the former AS Monaco and Benfica player.

Diego Simeone’s club would represent a huge draw for Bernardo Silva, and stiff competition for Juventus.

Atleti had agreed personal terms with Atalanta midfielder Ederson, but Manchester United dived in to match those figures, along with a higher transfer fee to his club.

Lautaro Martinez’s agent assures even if Barcelona, Arsenal or anyone else were to call, his reply would be the same: ‘He is happy at Inter and does not want to move.’

The striker was at the forefront of the celebrations for their historic Double, winning both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia, going on an open top bus parade around the city on Sunday.

He is also on track to be crowned Capocannoniere for this campaign, further consolidating his status as the best centre-forward in Italian football.

This attracted plenty of interest from abroad, but just as in the past, the Argentina international has just one thing on his mind.

Lautaro Martinez only wants Inter

“I have come to realise that Lautaro is admired and would be wanted by all the best teams in the world, but he belongs to Inter, so there is no reason for anyone to worry,” agent Alejandro Camano told FCInterNews.

“He is happy in Milan, he’s got the World Cup this summer, then the objective next season is to win the Champions League with Inter.”

In the past, there was only ever one club that seemed genuinely as if it could tempt Lautaro Martinez into leaving San Siro, and that was Barcelona.

Now that Robert Lewandowski is leaving and they require a new striker, what would happen if the Blaugrana called him again?

“Any call I would receive, from any club in the world, I would listen with respect, but the response would be the same. Lautaro is happy at Inter, he said he doesn’t want to move, so there is nothing more to add.”

Is the Argentina international staying to target the Champions League and maybe even the Ballon d’Or?

“No, he is staying because he loves Inter. It’s not about personal success, those come only as a result of the team trophies.”

Camano also represents Lazio defender Mario Gila, who has been linked with several clubs including Inter and Milan.

“He has one year left on his contract with Lazio, but nobody has called me over a renewal. I cannot renew his contract by myself. It all depends on them. If they want him to stay, good, otherwise we’ll have to talk about it.”

Bologna’s Jonathan Rowe has opened up about the fight he had with Milan’s Adrien Rabiot, which led to them both being sold by Marseille last summer, and has spoken in-depth about the differences between playing for Roberto De Zerbi in Ligue 1 and under Vincenzo Italiano in Serie A. 

The former England U21 star sat down for a feature interview with James Horncastle and The Athletic, discussing his experiences with Marseille and Bologna. 

Rowe on Rabiot fight, De Zerbi methods and Bologna adaptation

It has been a successful start to life in Italy for the 23-year-old, who has 13 goal involvements from 43 appearances across all competitions this term. 

“I feel like I’ve settled in now. I feel comfortable. It’s not even been a year yet but I’ve started to find my feet,” says the Englishman. 

Less than a year ago, Rowe was caught up in a dressing-room bust-up involving several members of the Marseille team and staff, which ultimately led to his and Adrien Rabiot’s departure from the club last summer. 

It has been reported that Rowe was involved in an argument with goalkeeper Guillermo Rulli, which led to Rabiot getting involved and ultimately ended in security staff having to break the whole thing up. 

“It got heated. It was something he said,” Rowe recalled. 

“The thing is, De Zerbi and Mehdi (Benatia), the (sporting) director, did not see the first punch (Rabiot) threw right at the start. They only saw me come back and hit him. So they probably thought I just hit him out of nowhere. I kind of had to explain it after.

“Emotions were flaring. Things got out of control. These things happen a lot in changing rooms, more than people probably realise.”

Despite being shown the way to the Marseille exit as a result of the altercation last summer, Rowe says that he had a lot to learn from De Zerbi. 

“With De Zerbi I realised you have got to pay more attention to the details.From your first touch to the next pass, to when the ball is on the other side of the pitch. It’s like when you’re driving. You have got to be three steps ahead just in case something happens and you have to be ready to make an intelligent decision.

“Sometimes in training I could get a bit bored because of the build-up that we’d be doing would mainly be focused on the defences and the midfielders in order to get the ball to us attackers.

“You’d be standing around in the hot sun for a few hours. But in a way that trains your brain to stay focused no matter what’s going on in the game. You might see the ball once every 10 or 15 minutes but when you get that ball you have to be decisive or you have to make something happen and create.” 

Rowe says that he was taken aback by some of De Zerbi’s training methods and team-bonding exercises: “I’d never done this before. I didn’t even know this was allowed in football. 

“We went into the middle of nowhere, in the woods, in the cold. We’d wake up at 4am. We’d go to do some run or we’d walk into the woods. Then we’d do push-ups, a little core circuit with the flashlights out in the pitch black then another walk. Then we’d do hill sprints. You know, the fireworks, the pyro; whatever you call it that the fans use in the stadiums. He’d rip one of them open and start walking like we’re Vikings.” 

Moving to Bologna has helped Rowe develop even further as a player, though: “It suits my game play,” Rowe says. “When it’s right, when it pays off; winning the ball high up the field, pressing, counter-attacking, being direct. I feel that sums up my game. When it pays off and the rest of the team is on the same wavelength, it almost feels unstoppable.

“It was a bit of big shift from Marseille with De Zerbi; keeping possession and trying to find an opening, the little gap between the pockets. It was a change of mindset, because when I came I was trying probably to link up with the players, doing short passes. They were playing long. And I was like: ‘What are you doing?’ They were like: ‘This is how we play?’ It was a bit weird.

“But as time goes on naturally you build those connections, you build more relationships with team-mates. You start to understand their strengths and they start to understand yours a lot more. You have to adapt and I’m pretty good at that.”

Manu Koné is back to training with Roma and should start the final game of the season against Verona, but Lorenzo Pellegrini is still out of action.

It kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

The Giallorossi know that a victory will be enough to guarantee qualification for the Champions League, as they go into the final round of the season in joint third place with Milan.

Roma can celebrate with victory

Midfielder Koné was not even fit for the bench in last week’s 1-0 Derby delle Capitale victory over Lazio, as he sustained a muscular issue in training.

However, Sky Sport Italia report the France international was back working with the squad today and should therefore be ready to start this weekend.

Wesley will certainly miss out, as he is suspended following the red card in that fiery clash, while Evan Ndicka sustained a muscular injury during the match and is also unlikely to feature.

Pellegrini had hoped for one final game this season, as his contract is running down, but it seems as if he won’t be fit enough to play against Verona.

UEFA have announced radical changes to the format of the Nations League and qualifying for the European Championship, following the Champions League system.

The final details have not yet been confirmed, as they will be fine-tuned following consultation, but the new concept will be implemented after the EURO 2028 tournament.

UEFA outline new format points

The Nations League in the 2028-29 edition will transition from the current system of four leagues to three leagues of 18 teams.

Each league will be composed of three groups of six teams, playing six matches against five different opponents, half of them at home and half away.

It is effectively similar to the current iteration of the Champions League, to avoid simply playing the same teams home and away every time.

The quarter-finals, Final Four and promotion/relegation play-offs will remain as they are.

In turn, the European Qualifiers will also be changed to a tiered structure with teams playing six home or away matches against six different opponents.

While directly qualified to the final tournament anyway, the host teams will still participate in the European qualifiers, contributing to their next Nations League positions.

The best ranked teams of each group of League 1 will qualify directly, while the remaining places will be allocated via a system of Play-Offs, which will guarantee fair qualification chances also to League 2 teams.

Italy and Turkiye are co-hosting EURO 2032.

“The new formats will improve competitive balance, reduce the number of dead matches, offer a more appealing and dynamic competition to fans, while ensuring a fair qualification chance for all teams and without adding any additional dates in the international calendar,” explained UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

“Altogether, the changes will grow the value of UEFA men’s national team football and we are very much looking forward to the implementation of the new competition systems.”

The managerial merry-go-round takes another twist with reports Milan coach Max Allegri is among the Napoli options to replace Antonio Conte, if Maurizio Sarri goes to Atalanta.

Going into the summer, very few coaches are expected to remain in their current positions, so we’ll see a flurry of activity on many different benches.

Allegri had previous Napoli agreement

Conte has dropped several hints that he is going to leave Napoli, opening up the job to someone else, and unhappy Lazio boss Sarri is the hot favourite.

However, as he is undecided about going back to a club where he already worked and had some success, plus has a proposal from Atalanta for a different project, Napoli need an alternative.

According to Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, Allegri had already agreed to take the Napoli job from President Aurelio De Laurentiis last summer before intensive negotiations saw Conte stay on.

He is therefore also the next person that ADL will turn to for the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona role, especially with tension still ramping up behind the scenes at Milan.

Should Allegri leave the Rossoneri, then they in turn would look at current Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano.

Portuguese coach Álvaro Magalhães believes Milan star Rafael Leão did not deserve a spot in the Portugal national team squad for the 2026 World Cup due to his ‘disastrous’ season with the Rossoneri.

Leão has been included in the Portugal World Cup squad by coach Roberto Martinez, but according to Álvaro Magalhães, a former assistant coach of Giovanni Trapattoni at Benfica, the Milan winger did not deserve a place in the team travelling to the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Magalhães: Leão had a ‘disastrous’ season at Milan

Magalhães is so disappointed with Leão’s season with Milan that he feels the winger’s call-up was the biggest surprise in Martinez’s squad.

“Rafael Leão had a disastrous season and is in poor form, but the coach always keeps the same attacking players. I think those who finish the season in the best form should be the ones chosen,” Magalhães told O Jogo.

Leão hasn’t scored a Serie A goal since March 1 and has netted ten times in 30 appearances across all competitions this season, providing three assists.

A recent stat has highlighted that Milan have earned more points when Leão has not been on the field this season, and, according to multiple reports, the Rossoneri will listen to offers of at least €50m for him this summer.

Roma are reportedly open to accepting offers above €20m for defender Jan Ziolkowski, as West Ham United and Newcastle United are interested.

The Poland international will turn 21 next month and was snapped up from Legia Warsaw last summer for €6.6m plus a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee.

Although he has been given very little playing time this season, the Giallorossi were still hopeful he would develop and therefore eager to resist proposals from elsewhere.

Ziolkowski on the chopping block

However, the situation seems to be changing, as transfer pundit Eleonora Trotta claims that the club is now open to listening if there are offers above €20m.

Those would come from the Premier League, with West Ham United and Newcastle United known to be tracking Ziolkowski’s progress.

He made 22 appearances for the club so far this season, scoring one goal, but notably only nine of those were in the starting XI.

The defender is pushing to get more regular playing time, so a sale is now possible, especially if it raises investment money that can be used elsewhere to strengthen the squad.

Tuttosport reports that Inter are waiting for Liverpool to set their asking price for Curtis Jones, who is ‘sending signals’ to the Nerazzurri ahead of a possible summer transfer.

Liverpool midfielder Jones is among Inter’s summer targets, even if, according to Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, Roma’s Manu Koné remains the Nerazzurri’s preferred option in the middle of the park.

Tuttosport has reported that James is unwilling to sign a contract extension with the Reds, mostly due to a strained relationship with coach Arne Slot.

Jones pushing for Liverpool exit

The Turin-based paper adds that Jones is very much open to a move to the Stadio Meazza over the summer, having already sent ‘signals’ to the Nerazzurri before the beginning of the summer transfer window on July 1, 2026.

Inter already targeted Jones during the 2026 January transfer window and remain interested in the player, having continued contacts with his entourage in recent months.

The Serie A champions are still waiting for Liverpool to set their asking price for the England international before deciding how to approach the Reds regarding a possible summer transfer.

Reports in Italy claim that Niclas Füllkrug could be set to stay in Serie A for 2026-27, but with newly-promoted Venezia instead of Milan, who will send the German back to West Ham at the end of his loan spell. 

Venezia eyeing Füllkrug’s signature for 2026-27

Füllkrug has spent the second half of the 2025-26 campaign on loan in Serie A with Milan, for whom he has made 19 appearances, 16 of which have come off the substitutes’ bench. His only goal for the Rossoneri came in a 1-0 victory at home against Lecce in January. 

Füllkrug’s loan deal included an option to buy, but Milan are not expected to activate that clause and are instead set to send him back to parent club West Ham after the 2025-26 season comes to an end this Sunday. 

West Ham are not expected to keep Füllkrug on board either, but Wednesday’s reports claim that there could be a new option for him in Serie A in 2026-27. 

Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Venezia are keen to sign the 33-year-old this summer. 

Giovanni Stroppa’s side were promoted to the Italian top flight as Serie B Champions earlier this month. They are also set to receive a cash boost from the sale of the talented 22-year-old Issa Doumbia, who is reportedly in line to join Sporting CP in a deal worth up to €26m including add-ons. 

Di Marzio reports that Füllkrug is not the only player Venezia are eyeing now that the Serie B season has come to an end: Lazio midfielder Toma Basic is also said to be of interest.

Khephren Thuram is still not back in full training with Juventus, so Teun Koopmeiners looks likely to start against Torino, with Federico Gatti in defence.

The final match of the Serie A season kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

Juve know that even a victory in the Derby della Mole might not be enough to secure Champions League football, as they slipped into fifth place following the 2-0 home defeat to Fiorentina.

If both Roma and Milan win on the same evening, then the Bianconeri are doomed to the Europa League.

Juventus waiting on Thuram fitness

Thuram has been struggling with fitness issues recently and managed only 21 minutes of football in the last two matches.

He was training separately from the rest of the squad again today, suggesting he will not be ready to go into the starting XI this weekend.

The most likely candidate to replace him is again Koopmeiners, who has had a difficult season.

Gleison Bremer is suspended in defence, giving Gatti a rare opportunity to shine in what may well be his final game in the Juventus shirt.

Arek Milik and Juan Cabal are long-term injury absentees for Luciano Spalletti.

Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup marks one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s football history. Once synonymous with the grandest stage of all, the four-time world champions will now watch a third consecutive tournament from home after a crushing playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

And yet, paradoxically, Serie A itself will remain impossible to ignore when the World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. From Inter and Milan to Juventus, Napoli, and Roma, Serie A clubs are packed with international stars expected to play leading roles for some of the strongest national teams on the planet. 

So even without Italy, Serie A’s presence at the World Cup will still be everywhere: in the stars competing for the Golden Boot, the midfielders controlling knockout matches, and the defenders tasked with stopping the next generation of global icons.

Why Serie A Still Matters at the World Cup Without Italy

The absence of Italy from another World Cup is a significant talking point, but it does not diminish Serie A’s global influence on the tournament. Across the squads of qualifying nations, you will find players who have spent years developing in Italian football, sharpening their tactical understanding, physical edge, and leadership under some of the world’s most demanding coaches.

That means Serie A fans will still get to see the players they watch every weekend performing on football’s biggest stage. The league’s DNA will be visible in how several nations set up, press, and build from the back throughout the competition. Many gambling analysts and football followers are already tracking how these players could influence their nations’ campaigns. 

The shift in narrative, from Italy being a contender to being absent, has already changed how bettors approach certain markets. If you want to bet on World Cup 2026, keeping a close eye on Serie A stars and their pre-tournament friendlies is a smart move. Odds on group-stage outcomes and individual awards can shift dramatically based on club form, injuries, and squad announcements. 

Gambling on international tournaments rewards those who follow club football closely, and Serie A provides some of the richest contexts of any league in Europe.

Scott McTominay and Scotland’s Unlikely Run

Since joining Napoli from Manchester United, Scott McTominay has looked like a completely different player. The transformation has been visible in every area: composure, decision-making, and physical output. He was the defining figure in Scotland’s qualification campaign, stepping up when the pressure was at its highest and delivering when his nation needed him most.

One moment that perfectly captured his influence came in a decisive clash against Denmark, where McTominay produced a stunning overhead kick from over 2.53 meters to secure a result that proved pivotal for qualification. 

He has since added a Serie A title and an MVP award to his name at Napoli, cementing his standing as one of the best midfielders in Italy. At the World Cup, he will carry Scotland’s ambitions on his shoulders and arrive as one of the more dangerous players in the tournament’s midfield bracket.

Hakan Calhanoglu Leading Turkey’s Charge

Hakan Calhanoglu has spent close to a decade in Serie A, and over that time, he has developed into one of the most complete central midfielders in European football. His ability to control the tempo, deliver from set pieces, and score from deep makes him a constant threat regardless of the opposition.

After making his name at Milan, Calhanoglu elevated his game further at Inter, becoming a central figure in their title-winning campaigns. For Turkey, he is the player who runs everything. His range of passing and reading of the game at the club level will transfer directly to the international stage. 

Turkey arrives at the 2026 World Cup with genuine ambitions of reaching the knockout rounds, and Calhanoglu’s ability to control matches from midfield will be central to how far they go.

Luka Modric’s Final Chapter with Croatia

Luka Modric guided Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, collected the Ballon d’Or that same year, and then led his nation to third place in 2022. Now at Milan and still performing at a high level in Serie A, the Croatian legend enters what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance.

What makes Modric remarkable is that age has not stripped away the qualities that made him elite. His positional awareness, first touch, and ability to dictate the rhythm of a match remain intact. For Croatia, this tournament represents an opportunity to send one of the greatest midfielders in history out on their terms.

Modric will be desperate to make that happen, and the experience he has accumulated across decades of top-level football makes him one of the most valuable players at the entire competition.

The Broader Picture, More Serie A Names to Watch

Beyond these three headliners, multiple Serie A players will feature for nations capable of producing upsets across the group stage and into the knockout rounds. Smaller nations that have historically been difficult to predict are now better equipped than ever, partly because their players are gaining regular high-level minutes in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.

This depth of Serie A representation at the 2026 World Cup means the league’s tactical trends, pressing systems, defensive structure, and positional play will be visible throughout the tournament. 

For anyone following the competition closely, understanding which players are arriving in form and which are managing fitness concerns after long club seasons will provide a significant edge in reading how matches develop. The Italian league may be without Italy itself, but its influence on the 2026 World Cup is as strong as ever.

Venezia just earned promotion to Serie A, but have reportedly agreed the sale of Italy Under-21 international Issa Doumbia to Sporting CP for up to €26m.

The midfielder was a crucial figure in securing the top spot in the Serie B table, thanks to his eight goals and six assists in 37 games.

There were also two goals in one Coppa Italia appearance this season, and Venezia will be in Serie A next term.

Doumbia moving on from Venezia

However, Doumbia will not be a part of that squad, as Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claims that a deal is done with Sporting CP.

It will be worth €20m plus €3m in easy to achieve bonuses, and up to another €3m in harder to activate add-ons, taking the total to a maximum of €26m.

Venezia can also retain a small percentage of the future sale fee.

A product of the Albinoleffe youth academy, Doumbia was sold to Venezia in 2024 for just €1m plus bonuses.

He has three caps for Italy at Under-21 level and is 22 years of age, with dual Italian and Ivorian citizenship.

Doumbia had been targeted by Inter, Milan and Napoli, amongst others.

Reports in Italy indicate that Luka Modric is in line to make a surprise return to the Milan starting line-up for their final Serie A match of the season on Sunday, just a few weeks after suffering a nasty cheekbone fracture. 

Modric set for return to Milan XI against Cagliari

It had been expected that the 2026-27 season would be over for the former Ballon d’Or winner after he suffered a cheekbone fracture from a collision with Manuel Locatelli during a 0-0 Serie A draw between Milan and Juventus at the end of April. 

The veteran midfielder had facial surgery immediately after the Juventus match, on March 27.

However, the 40-year-old is recovering far quicker than originally expected, and was named in the matchday squad for Milan’s 2-1 win away against Genoa over the weekend. He remained an unused substitute on Sunday. 

According to the latest updates from Sky Sport Italia, Modric is now in line to return to the starting line-up in time for Milan’s final Serie A match of the season, which comes at home against Cagliari at 19.45 BST this Sunday evening. He will have to wear a protective mask upon his return to action. 

Modric had featured in all but one of Milan’s Serie A matches in 2025-26 prior to suffering the fractuure to his cheekbone. 

Spanish reports claim Juventus transfer target Bernardo Silva has been proposed to both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but they are not interested in the Manchester City star.

The midfielder confirmed what we’ve all known for a while, namely that he will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract runs down, making him an appetising prospect as a free agent.

Bernardo Silva wanted by Juventus

Juve have been tracking his progress for a long time and consider themselves the favourites to snap up his signature.

However, the potential failure to qualify for the Champions League might put a dampener on their ambitions, and prompt Bernardo Silva to look elsewhere for his next destination.

Spanish newspaper AS claims that agent Jorge Mendes has over the last few days contacted both Real Madrid and Barcelona to propose that they sign the Portugal international.

The good news for Juventus is that neither club seemed particularly interested in signing the player, even though he is only 31 years old.

This is going to be a big lifestyle change wherever he goes after nine years at Manchester City.

Reports in Italy indicate that Inter are increasingly likely to make Josep Martinez their first-choice goalkeeper in 2026-27 instead of turning to the transfer market to bring in a new no.1, but the Nerazzurri are still hoping to bring in a back-up option to replace the departing Yann Sommer. 

Report Inter eyeing Provedel for no.2 role

The Champions of Italy will look to rejuvenate their defensive unit during the summer transfer window, including their options between the sticks. Sommer has been Inter’s first choice for the last three years, but is out of contract in June and is expected to leave the club at the age of 37. 

Inter had been linked with a move to sign Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario for large chunks of the 2025-26 campaign, but recent updates indicate that they are instead more likely to promote Josep Martinez, who has largely had to settle for a role as an understudy over the last two campaigns. 

• Read more: Two reasons why Inter might decide against signing Vicario from Tottenham

The recently-crowned champions of Italy will still be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer, but Wednesday’s reports suggest that they will be on the lookout for a new no.2 rather than a no.1. 

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, Lazio’s Ivan Provedel is in ‘pole position’ to become the new back-up goalkeeper at Inter from 2026-27 onwards. 

The 32-year-old has spent the last four seasons at the Stadio Olimpico and was named as the division’s best goalkeeper in the 2022-23 Serie A awards. 

He has been unavailable for the last 10 rounds of Serie A fixtures after having surgery on his shoulder at the beginning of March. That has allowed Edoardo Motta to ‘audition’ for the role of Lazio’s no.1, and given that Provedel has just over a year remaining on his contract, the Biancocelesti could be minded to let him go while they are still able to recoup a fee.

La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Antonio Conte would be the ideal candidate for the Italy job, as long as he agrees to serve for four years, with the aim of bringing the Azzurri back to the World Cup in 2030.

Conte is expected to leave Napoli after two years, taking charge of his last game at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday against Udinese.

Conte must commit to Italy until 2030

The Partenopei boss is regarded as one of the leading candidates to take over the Italy national team, returning to Coverciano after his first stint from 2014 to 2016.

His Italy team was not exactly filled with talent, yet Conte managed to bring the Azzurri to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, where they lost on penalties to Germany.

“He used the Azzurri as fuel. At such a sad moment, it is difficult to find a better figure for yet another rebuilding phase,” wrote Gazzetta.

“Pep Guardiola would generate enormous excitement, but his style of football requires daily training sessions and would probably lose its effectiveness at Coverciano.

• Read more – Report: Guardiola ready for national team amid Italy links

“Roberto Mancini won the Euros in 2021, only to tarnish that achievement with his departure for Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023.

“The doors should be thrown wide open for a second spell under Conte, on the condition that he does not stop at all at the 2028 European Championship, but instead sets his sights on the 2030 World Cup and finally closes the cursed circle of failures to qualify for football’s biggest competition. This is no minor detail.”

Conte’s career speaks for itself, both in terms of results and loyalty to his clubs. The only one where he spent more than two years as a coach was Juventus between 2011 and 2014. His subsequent experiences with the Italy national team, Chelsea, Inter, Tottenham and Napoli each lasted only two seasons.

“Italy cannot afford a short-term appointment, but needs Conte to commit for four years. The objective is enormous and, if achieved, would leave a mark on history: bringing Italy back to the World Cup after three failed attempts,” concluded Gazzetta.

“In that case, it would feel like winning the World Cup itself. Conte 2030 would benefit everyone, including him. If he restores Italy to where it once belonged, he will be remembered as the father of the footballing nation.”

Reports in Italy claim that Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is still keen on the idea of a summer move to Juventus even if the Bianconeri are looking at the likelihood of competing in the Europa League rather than the Champions League next season. 

Alisson still keen on Juventus move without Champions League football

The penultimate round of 2025-26 Serie A fixtures went disastrously for Juventus, who had been in third place at the start of the weekend, but dropped down to sixth after a 2-0 loss at home against Fiorentina, while every other team around them – Napoli, Milan, Roma and Como – picked up important victories. 

The situation means that Juventus are left needing favours from Como and either Roma or Milan heading into the final round of league fixtures this weekend if they are to make it back into the Serie A top four. 

Recent updates claim that Juventus will see a difference of around €55m-€60m in their accounts if they are to compete in next season’s Europa League rather than the Champions League. 

The prospect of competing in Europe’s secondary competition is not an issue for Liverpool’s Alisson, though, according to Wednesday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

The Bianconeri have been linked with a move for the Brazil international for several months of the 2025-26 season. Michele Di Gregorio has failed to impress this season, and Alisson is well known to head coach Luciano Spalletti from their time together at Roma. 

• Read more: Statistic outlines major problem with Juventus goalkeepers and defence – Football Italia

Alisson has one year remaining on his contract with Liverpool, but La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that he is preparing to say his final farewells to the Anfield crowd when Liverpool play their final Premier League game of the season against Brentford on Sunday. 

Alisson is part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil national team squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, and Wednesday’s report indicates that Alisson will want to have his next steps sorted before the start of the tournament, which is just a few weeks away. 

The next obstacle for Juventus to overcome is to arrange a fee with Liverpool.

Reports in Italy claim that Liverpool’s Curtis Jones remains on Inter’s radar, especially since the English midfielder wants to leave Anfield in the summer, but the Nerazzurri’s priority midfield target remains Roma’s Manu Koné.

Inter have already started planning for next season after winning a domestic double, and club directors met coach Cristian Chivu on Tuesday.

Latest Inter transfer updates: Koné and Jones

According to Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, one of Inter’s primary targets remains Roma’s Koné, who was already approached by the Nerazzurri last summer.

Roma might be forced to make a big sale before June 30 to comply with the Financial Fair Play, and Koné remains the first name on Inter’s shopping list.

The fresh Serie A champions are aware that the Giallorossi might demand from €40m to €50m for the France international, but Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has already admitted that Koné might leave the capital after two years.

Both Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport claim that Inter are also monitoring Liverpool’s Jones.

Jones wants Liverpool exit

The English midfielder’s contract at Anfield expires in June 2027, but he’s pushing to leave due to his strained relationship with Slot, according to Tuttosport.

Inter have been in contact with his entourage since last January, and the 25-year-old remains one of the targets for the fresh Serie A winners.

Reports in Italy indicate that Juventus may have to reluctantly part company with one or two of its first team stars in the event that they miss out on Champions League football, but Kenan Yildiz is not the only player in the squad ‘guaranteed’ not to be sold even without a top four finish this season. 

It has been a disappointing end to the 2025-26 campaign for the Old Lady, who had been as high as third place in the league table in the final few weeks of the season. 

However, they were beaten 2-0 at home by Fiorentina while every other result went against them over the weekend, which means that Luciano Spalletti’s side are now in sixth place, two points shy of the top four heading into the final round of 2025-26 fixtures. 

The Bianconeri are left needing favours from both Roma and Como on the final day of the 2025-26 season in order to qualify for the Champions League, otherwise it will be a season of Europa League football at the Allianz Stadium. 

Juventus will not sell Yildiz, even without Champions League

According to recent reports, qualifying for the Europa League instead of the Champions League is expected to bring a difference of around €55m-€60m in potential revenues, and Juventus might be forced into selling players in order to make up the deficit, especially if they are to bring in multiple new recruits as well. 

With Champions League football now looking unlikely, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that several first-team stars could be sacrificed. Khephren Thuram, for example, was signed for a €20m fee two summers ago, but could potentially be sold for around double that price. 

Andrea Cambiaso has been linked with a move away from the club on several occasions in the past and he could be let go if an appropriate offer were to come in this coming transfer window. Francisco Conceicao has also attracted interest from the Premier League in recent weeks. 

Even defenders Pierre Kalulu and Gleison Bremer could be sold: The latter has a release clause in his contract that isn’t out of the equation for certain Premier League clubs. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that the only Juventus player that isn’t ‘at risk’ of being sold is Yildiz, whom the club see as the present and future of the first team and a player to build the squad around for years to come. 

The youngster recently penned a contract extension running until the summer of 2030, and reports indicate that he is currently among the club’s highest earners, aside from Dusan Vlahovic, whose extortionate contract will expire at the end of June.

Luciano Spalletti is not expected to leave Juventus, having just signed a contract extension to 2028, but the Italian tactician reportedly expects to have more control over the club’s transfer moves, which a lack of Champions League revenues might influence.

Juventus coach Spalletti is set to meet with club owner John Elkann in the coming days to discuss the next steps towards the 2026-27 campaign.

Transfer problems for Spalletti and Juventus without Champions League

Juventus risk missing out on the top four, two points behind a Champions League place with only one game left.

Italian media have reported that Spalletti has had disagreements with the CEO, Damien Comolli, especially regarding transfers, so, according to Corriere dello Sport, the Italian tactician will demand more power over the market from Elkann.

Spalletti is also concerned about the potential sales of big players, which might be necessary to offset the loss of Champions League income.

According to Gazzetta, Juventus won’t consider Kenan Yildiz’s departure, while Gleison Bremer could be heading out of the Allianz Stadium in the summer, with Liverpool and Manchester United among the interested clubs.

Reports in Italy claim that Pep Guardiola is ‘ready’ to step into the world of international management and that he remains the ‘dream’ candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso as CT. 

Guardiola ready for international management, remains Italy’s dream,

Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season after 10 seasons at the Etihad Stadium, during which time the coach has won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup trophy. He is set to be replaced by Italian head coach and former assistant Enzo Maresca. 

Italy, meanwhile, are still on the lookout for a new head coach of the national team following the resignation of Gattuso shortly after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March. 

Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri are two of the leading names that have been mentioned for the vacant Italy national team job, Wednesday’s reports claim that Roberto Mancini is an option again. The ‘dream’ option, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, is still Guardiola.  

La Gazzetta writes that after 17 full seasons as a head coach in club football between his spells with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Guardiola is ‘ready’ to dabble in the world of international management. 

The Pink Paper suggests that Guardiola could take on a national team role after the upcoming 2026 World Cup, or potentially after the European Championship in 2028, depending on whether he decides to take a sabbatical or not.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Carlos Cuesta’s future at Parma is uncertain, despite the team’s survival with four games remaining, due to concerns regarding his defensive playing style.

Parma coach Cuesta may not stay at the Stadio Tardini after the summer, even though he secured comfortable survival this season with four games remaining.

Cuesta faces uncertain Parma future

Cuesta, a former assistant of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, has become the youngest coach to lead a Serie A team, making his debut with the Ducali at 29 this season.

He was hired by Parma last summer to replace Cristian Chivu, who had secured survival on the final matchday in 2024-25 after replacing Fabio Pecchia in February 2025.

According to Gazzetta newspaper, the impressive result achieved by Cuesta this season, despite the sales of many key players, including Ange-Yoan Bonny, who joined Chivu at Inter, might not be enough for the Spaniard to keep his job.

Parma, in fact, have shown a defensive playing style throughout the season, resulting in one of the least-scoring teams in Serie A. The Ducali netted 27 times in 37 matches, the same as Lecce, only two more than last-placed Verona and Pisa.

They often played with a low block, relying on long balls, set pieces, and counterattacks to score. It was efficient, but Parma might be looking for something different for next season.

According to Gazzetta, most of Parma’s fans are unhappy with the team’s poor playing style this season, and their concerns are shared by some of the club’s directors as well.

Cuesta is under contract until June 2027, with an option to extend until 2028. After the final game of the season against Sassuolo, the Spaniard will meet with the club directors to discuss the next steps.

The pink paper argues that “it would not be surprising to see Parma with another coach next season.”

For the second season in a row, an Italian footballer has won the Premier League: here’s the full list of players and coaches from Italy to have become English champions.

Italy international Calafiori made history with Arsenal, helping the Gunners win the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.

For the second season in a row, an Italian player has won the English title as Calafiori has succeeded Federico Chiesa, who had lifted the trophy with Liverpool in the 2024-25 campaign.

Back in the 2011-12 season, Mario Balotelli won the Premier League title with Manchester City, scoring 13 goals in 23 league matches and providing the assist for Sergio Aguero’s late winning goal in a home Serie A match against QPR.

Premier League winners: The Italians with no winners’ medal

Other Italian players had previously won the Premier League, but didn’t make the minimum number of league appearances to receive a winners’ medal.

Federico Macheda’s Manchester United became English champions in 2008-09 when the Italian striker was only 16.

In 2009-10, the 18-year-old Fabio Borini made four appearances with Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea and a few years earlier, in 2004-05 and 2005-06, Carlo Cudicini had won the title as the Blues’ second-choice goalkeeper under José Mourinho, collecting just seven appearances in two seasons.

Massimo Taibi, another second-choice keeper, made four appearances in 1999-00, and when the Red Devil won the title, Taibi had already returned to Reggina.

Premier League champions: the Italian coaches

Four Italian coaches have won the Premier League: Antonio Conte in the 2016-17 campaign and Carlo Ancelotti in 2009-10 at Chelsea, Claudio Ranieri in 2015-16 with Leicester City, and Roberto Mancini in 2011-12 with Manchester City.

Reports in Italy claim that Roberto Mancini remains a candidate for the Italy job, although Antonio Conte is still the frontrunner.

Italy will name a new coach after the FIGC Presidential election on June 22, 2026.

From Mancini to Allegri: the candidates for Italy job

Gazzetta reports that the “dream” for the job remains Pep Guardiola, who will leave Manchester City after ten years.

However, Conte’s Napoli remains the leading candidate as the Italian tactician is also set to leave his club at the end of the season.

Both Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport include Mancini among the leading candidates for the Italy job, with Corriere suggesting that the ex-Azzurri coach would even accept a low salary, around €2m per season, to return to Coverciano.

Both Claudio Ranieri and Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri have also been linked with the Italy job. Allegri’s future at San Siro is uncertain due to disagreements with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Giorgio Furlani.

Mancini won the European Championship in 2021, but failed to qualify for the World Cup the following year.

He stepped down in August 2023 to become the Saudi Arabia national team coach, a role he held for barely a year before leaving in October 2024.

Mancini recently won the Qatari league title with Al Sadd, celebrating his latest trophy with a nod to his Euro victory with Italy.

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori celebrated Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years on the day of his birthday: ‘The best ever.’

Arsenal won the 2025-26 Premier League with a game to spare on Tuesday night, thanks to Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.

Arsenal players watched Manchester City’s match from their training ground and celebrated a historic achievement at full-time.

It was a special day for Calafiori, who also turned 24 yesterday.

The Italy international contributed to Arsenal’s title with one goal and two assists in 25 Premier League appearances this term.

“Best birthday ever,” wrote the ex-Bologna and Roma defender on Instagram, posting a picture of his celebrations.

Calafiori also posted a picture on Instagram Stories, showing him as a kid with a trophy from his first club, Petriana Calcio: “Champion of England,” wrote the Italian defender.

Calafiori reacts as Arsenal win Premier League title

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La Gazzetta dello Sport

He frees himself from Napoli and sees Italy

Conte always Azzurro

Farewell to the Maradona on Sunday: leaving by mutual agreement for free. Antonio is now the favourite to become the Italy coach and De Laurentiis negotiates with Sarri

It’s all ready at Milan

Champions League return, Modric to start with a mask.

Chiellini tries to save the Juventus of the future

Corriere dello Sport

Chivu wants Koné

Three-hour meeting: Cristian met Marotta and Ausilio yesterday

Inter try again and Roma open: Palestra breakthrough

Gasp frees the Frenchman: 50m needed. The alternative is Jones (Liverpool). Acceleration for the Atalanta full-back. Ida Provedel.

Sarri decides: Napoli wait

Spalletti doesn’t give up: he stays at Juve

Guardiola’s farewell: City to Maresca

Italy, Mancini the favourite

The former CT can return to the national team after three years

He had left the Azzurri bench to move to Saudi Arabia. He was the last one to gift us a triumph: The Euros in 2021 in England. This year, he’s won his fifth title as a coach with Al Sadd in Qatar.

Tuttosport

Juve, Elkann moves

Calls with Spalletti and the directors, Comolli is increasingly at risk. Comolli tells the players: ‘It’s useless to talk to you…’

The director’s face-to-face with the players leaves everyone puzzled: the meeting between the Frenchman and the scouts was cancelled. The coach is safe, but a new flop in the derby could pave the way for incredible scenarios. Interview with Sabatini: ‘A chain of command with well-defined roles is missing.’

There’s Bruno in the Maratona to push Toro

The former defender will join the fans in the Curva. There’s Martin Vazquez on the field at the Filadelfia on June 6 for the museum.

Arsenal champion! Pep: Goodbye City

Antonio Conte will say his farewells in front of the Stadio Maradona for the final time on Sunday, as newspapers in Italy confirm that he will walk away from Napoli in a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ with Partenopei President Aurelio De Laurentiis. 

Conte set for Napoli farewell against Udinese

According to reports from various outlets including La Gazzetta and Il Corriere dello Sport, later confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Conte will leave his role with Napoli at the end of the 2025-26 season, with his final game coming at home against Udinese on Sunday evening. 

Tuesday’s reports confirm that Conte will leave Napoli by mutual agreement as part of a pact with De Laurentiis, which means that the club will not have to hand over any severance pay, despite the fact that the coach still has a year remaining on his contract. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that it is a sign of the strength of the friendship between Conte and De Laurentiis that a contract termination has been agreed so smoothly given that both have shown the fiery side of their personalities on multiple occasions in the past. 

Leaving Napoli after two seasons continues a long-standing trend: The Partenopei will be the eighth different club that Conte has left after two years or less, nine if the Italy national team is included. Juventus remains the only side where he has stayed for three seasons. 

Sunday’s match against Udinese will be Conte’s 91st in charge of Napoli and his 76th with the Partenopei in Serie A. He has averaged 2.07 points per game in the league and has an overall win percentage of 56.67% across all competitions.

Antonio Conte is now expected to leave Napoli at the end of the 2025-26 season and his departure from the Stadio Maradona means that Juventus are the only club that the former CT has stayed at for longer than two seasons. 

According to reports from all of the leading outlets in Italy, Conte will leave Napoli by mutual agreement at the end of the 2025-26 season, which comes to a close on Sunday. He continues to be linked with a potential return to the Italy national team set-up. 

Conte has one year remaining on his Napoli contract, which runs until the summer of 2027, but he is expected to walk away from the Stadio Maradona without severance pay. Maurizio Sarri and Massimiliano Allegri are among the early frontrunners to replace him. 

Conte will leave Napoli after two seasons, one year after guiding the club to its fourth Scudetto. He also won the 2025-26 Supercoppa Italiana during his time in Naples. 

Napoli is set to become the eighth different club that Conte has left after just two seasons. The figure rises to nine if his two-year spell in charge of the Italy national team is included. 

Conte has only stayed for more than two years on one occasion

The 56-year-old had two short spells in charge of Arezzo at the beginning of his career before taking charge of Bari between 2007 and 2009, leaving after reports of a potential move to Juventus, a move that would not materialise for another few years. 

Conte’s spell in charge of Atalanta lasted just a matter of months between September 2009 and January 2010. His time in charge of Siena lasted just over a season, taking over in May 2010 and leaving for Juventus ahead of the 2011-12 season. 

Juventus remains the only club where Conte has stayed for any longer than two seasons. He guided the Bianconeri to three consecutive Serie A titles and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies before leaving to take over as head coach of the Italy national team in 2014. 

He went on to leave the Italy set-up immediately after the conclusion of EURO 2016 following a quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat against Germany. 

Conte would then go on to serve as head coach of Premier League side Chelsea for two seasons between 2016 and 2018 before being sacked and replaced by compatriot Maurizio Sarri. 

After taking a season-long break, Conte returned to the dugout with Inter in 2019, but left the Nerazzurri amidst reported disagreements with the board shortly after guiding the team to the Scudetto at the end of his second season in charge. 

He took over as head coach of Tottenham in November of 2021, but infamously left the club, again frustrated with the senior hierarchy, in March of 2023. 

And now he is set to leave Napoli after two full seasons in charge. As things stand, he has taken charge of 90 competitive Partenopei fixtures, winning 51, drawing 22 and losing 17 with a win rate of 56.67%.

Tuesday’s reports claim that the Greek football federation have been left frustrated by the suggestion that Italy will field a side primarily made up of U21 stars for their scheduled friendly in June, and some outlets suggest that there is a risk the game does not go ahead as a result. 

Is there a risk that Greece vs. Italy friendly gets cancelled?

The Italy national team will not be heading to the 2026 World Cup, but still have two friendlies in the calendar for early June: Against Luxembourg on the 3rd of the month and against Greece on the 6th, both of which are set to be played away from home. 

Italy is without a permanent head coach following the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso shortly after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March, so U21s boss Silvio Baldini has been tasked with leading the senior squad into the June friendlies. 

Baldini is expected to name a side largely, or perhaps entirely, made up from players he already knows from his U21 team. There have been reports that captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has made himself available, but Baldini has insisted that he “will only call up players from the U21s.”

Though this suggestion went down positively with a large section of Azzurri supporters, the situation has reportedly angered the Greek federation, who want to give their players a competitive test against opponents of a certain level and experience in order to prepare them for the Nations League campaign that kicks off in September. 

According to reports from TMW, representatives from the Greek and Italian federations have been in contact since last week in order to ‘find a solution’. Tuesday’s report claims that there is a risk the match does not go ahead. 

The parties will need to come to a resolution swiftly, though, as the game is scheduled to take place in just over a fortnight’s time, and the chances of arranging a friendly against different opponents are already diminishing. 

Greece have already confirmed their squad, and TMW points out that in their official announcement, there was no mention of a game against Italy, just that they would be taking part in ‘June friendlies’.

Reports in Italy claim that both Napoli and Atalanta are hoping to secure the services of Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri for the 2026-27 season as the Serie A managerial merry-go-round gets underway. 

Napoli and Atalanta both want Sarri for 2026-27

Various outlets are reporting that Conte has decided to leave Napoli at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, two years after joining and one year after guiding the club to its fourth Scudetto. The former CT reportedly communicated his decision to Partenopei President Aurelio De Laurentiis in mid-April. 

Conte is expected to leave Napoli by mutual agreement, which means that he will leave the club without severance pay in what has been described as a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ by leading outlets in Italy. 

The initial reports on Thursday indicate that Lazio’s Sarri is among the leading candidates to replace Conte at the Stadio Maradona. 

Sarri had a successful spell in charge of Napoli between 2015 and 2018, finishing second behind the dominant Juventus in two out of his three seasons in charge. He is increasingly likely to leave Lazio at the end of the season and could be poised for a second spell in Naples. 

However, the latest updates indicate that Atalanta are also attempting to persuade Sarri to join, and that their offer might be more enticing than Napoli’s. 

According to reports from Alfredo Pedullà, Napoli and Atalanta have both offered Sarri a two-year deal, although Atalanta could be prepared to lengthen the duration of the proposed contract. Pedullà adds that Atalanta’s offer is ‘higher’ than the €2.7m-per-season plus bonuses that Napoli are willing to pay. 

Former Juventus winger Emanuele Giaccherini says the Bianconeri need more leaders but doesn’t agree with Luciano Spalletti’s recent claims and feels Antonio Conte would be ‘ideal’ for the Italy job.

Juventus risk missing out on Champions League qualification following a 2-0 loss against Fiorentina on Sunday.

‘Juventus need leaders’

The Bianconeri are two points below the top four with just one game left to play.

“Spalletti was good at conveying a playing style, but they lacked the ability to win games, even when their quality of play was lacking. You also need personality,” Giaccherini told La Stampa via TMW.

Spalletti was obviously unhappy with Juventus’ loss to Fiorentina, which has jeopardised a top-four finish, but the Italian tactician also argued that the Bianconeri could even have been out of a Europa League place.

“Discordant words, I don’t agree with them,” Giaccherini said.

“The ambition at Juventus must always be to look up; it’s not possible to settle. Somebody like Chiellini is enough; he knows what to tell the team. Spalletti can’t be questioned, but Juventus need leaders.”

Giaccherini played under Antonio Conte for Juventus and the Italy national team and was asked his thoughts on the potential new Azzurri coach, who will be hired after the FIGC Presidential election on June 22, 2026.

“It’s necessary to change our mentality and invest in our lads with more confidence and patience, rather than signing foreign players to satisfy speculation between agents and directors,” said the ex-Azzurri winger.

“I don’t know what Conte will do, but he’d be ideal.”

According to reports in Italy, Conte will leave Napoli after two seasons. Conte coached the Azzurri from 2014 to 2016 and has said he’s open to returning to the Nazionale bench.

Inter have been linked with a potential move for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for much of the 2025-26 season, but recent updates indicate that the Nerazzurri have cooled off in their pursuit of the former Empoli stopper. Here’s why. 

Vicario has spent the last three seasons in North London, having joined in a €19m deal from Empoli in the summer of 2023, becoming the most expensive departure in the history of the Italian club in the process. 

The last two seasons, particularly in the Premier League, have been massively disappointing for Tottenham on a collective level. They are still mathematically at risk of relegation to the Championship in the final stage of the 2025-26 Premier League season, and for the second season in a row, will not finish any higher than 17th place in the English top flight. 

Why are Inter leaning away from Vicario transfer?

There has been an upturn in Tottenham’s form following the appointment of Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi at the end of March. They have won two and drawn two of their last four matches, and could secure Premier League safety when they take on Chelsea on Tuesday night. 

As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tottenham surviving in the Premier League would make life more complicated for Inter if they were to continue with their hopes of signing Vicario this summer. 

The Pink Paper claims that the goalkeeper is valued in the region of €20m, which would be lowered in the event of relegation, but this is now looking increasingly unlikely and negotiations could start to become more complicated again. 

Secondly, Inter already have an heir to Yann Sommer ready and waiting in-house. The club brought in Josep Martinez for a €15.5m fee from Genoa in the summer of 2024, and the Spaniard has recently admitted that he is hoping to be confirmed as Inter’s no.1 for 2026-27. 

The benefit with Martinez is that he already knows the club and players well and understands what Cristian Chivu wants from his goalkeepers. He put in a solid campaign in cup competitions this season and already has a full season of Serie A football under his belt from his time with Genoa.  

Sommer will be leaving Inter at the end of the season, so there is still a need for Inter to bring in a new goalkeeper either way this summer, but promoting Martinez to no.1 would mean they are in the market for a cheaper understudy, rather than a comparatively expensive first choice.

Former Milan star Antonio Cassano insists he doesn’t talk about Massimiliano Allegri with his close friend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but predicts the Italian tactician will be ‘kicked out’ regardless of Champions League qualification.

Ex-Italy star Cassano believes that Milan will sack Allegri at the end of the season, even if the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League.

Corriere della Sera reported last week that Allegri had an argument with Ibrahimovic, a Senior Advisor to Gerry Cardinale, over Cassano as well.

Cassano says Milan will sack Allegri

The ex-Italian striker, in fact, is one of Allegri’s biggest critics, and, according to Corriere, his private conversations with his former teammate Ibrahimovic about Allegri upset the Rossoneri boss.

“He [Ibrahimovic] is a director and does what he wants. I’ve known him for 16 years. He’s a friend of mine, like Thiago Silva, Totti, Montella, and many others. I talk to Ibra every time I want, and we don’t talk about Allegri because he [Ibra] doesn’t need me to say certain things. He tells them to Allegri’s face, as he used to do as a footballer,” Cassano said during Viva El Football podcast via TMW.

“Allegri has already moved his men, so certain things emerge because he knows they’ll kick him out regardless of Champions League qualification. Allegri will go home, like Tare, who has picked him,” Cassano continued.

“After all the disasters he’s made, without giving an identity to the team. Are the fans fools? With Ibrahimovic, we talk about family and holiday, I don’t need to call him to talk about Allegri. Milan can’t be represented by a mediocre coach.”

Both Cassano and Ibrahimovic won the Scudetto at Milan under Allegri in the 2010-11 campaign.

Ibrahimovic was not in the stands at Marassi on Sunday, when Milan secured a 2-1 win over Genoa. According to Italian sources, if Ibra remains at the club beyond the summer, Allegri will leave.

“Ibrahimovic is very fond of me, and he was close to me when I didn’t feel well. He’s a loyal person,” concluded Cassano.

“The special relationship between him and me remains, and we don’t need to talk about anything else. If these things emerged, it’s because the smear machine was set in motion, and Allegri did it deliberately.”

Reports from various outlets on Tuesday indicate that Antonio Conte is set to leave Napoli at the end of the 2025-26 season, and speculation over his replacement at the Stadio Maradona is already in full swing. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Fabrizio Romano and others, Conte has already informed Napoli President Aureli De Laurentiis that he intends to walk away from his role with the Partenopei once the 2025-26 season draws to a close this weekend. 

He is one of three candidates, along with Massimiliano Allegri and Pep Guardiola, who are in line to take over the currently vacant head coach role with the Italy national team. 

Conte is likely to leave Napoli by mutual consent, which means that he is expected to leave the club without severance pay. 

Who could replace Conte as head coach of Napoli? 

According to the initial reports on Tuesday, there are already two leading candidates to take over from Conte at Napoli for 2026-27. 

According to Calciomercato.com, one option is to reinstate Maurizio Sarri, whose future with Lazio is in doubt just one year into his second Stadio Olimpico stint. The 67-year-old previously coached Napoli between 2015 and 2018 before being replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. 

Another strong option is the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri should he decide to leave Milan at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Aurelio De Laurentiis has already been in contact with Allegri on several occasions in the past and that he might be the ‘no.1’ candidate this summer. 

Tuesday’s reports claim that Sassuolo’s Fabio Grosso is also a potential option for the Partenopei. Atalanta’s Raffaele Palladino and Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano could be under consideration as well, but they are described as being ‘in the second row’ for the Napoli job.

According to Tuesday’s reports, there are growing concerns in Argentina regarding Nico Paz’s condition, and updates in Italy claim that the national team are putting pressure on Como to not field him in their crucial final Serie A match of the season this weekend. 

Report: Argentina do not want Nico Paz to play in Cremonese vs. Como

Nico Paz was not called up to the matchday squad for Como’s 1-0 victory against Parma in Serie A on Sunday. The Argentina international had appeared in every league match he had been available for prior to the weekend, only missing one game through a yellow card suspension. 

Speaking before the match against Parma, Fabregas confirmed that Paz would not be available due to a knock to his knee, and admitted that the attacking midfielder may have to miss the final two matches of the Serie A season. 

“Nico Paz is injured, he will not be there tomorrow with Parma. He had a knock to the knee. If it had been played on Monday, we might be in a different situation, but in all honesty I can’t say if he’ll play the last game either. I hope so, but I couldn’t tell you for sure.” 

Como have one Serie A match of the season left to play, away against Cremonese at 19.45 BST on Sunday, in a game that will decide whether they will be playing in the Champions League or Europa League next season. 

Como currently find themselves in fifth place in the Serie A table, two points behind Roma in fourth heading into the final round of 2025-26 fixtures. The situation requires Roma dropping points against Fiorentina in order for Como to qualify for the Champions League. 

Naturally, Fabregas and Como will want their star player available, but according to reports from Calciomercato.com, the Argentina national team are ‘putting pressure’ on Como to leave the 21-year-old out of the side this weekend. 

That is because Paz is a strong candidate to make Lionel Scaloni’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America, which kicks off in just a few weeks’ time. 

According to reports from ESPN in Argentina, the Argentina national team will send doctors over to Italy to assess Paz’s injury and condition. They feel that his injury is not particularly serious, but that there is a risk that the situation worsened if the youngster were to suffer another knock against Cremonese this weekend. 

Reports in Italy claim that centre-back Gleison Bremer might have played his final match for Juventus as Premier League sides Liverpool and Manchester United consider triggering the Brazilian’s release clause. 

Liverpool and Man United looking at Bremer release clause

Bremer has definitely played his final Juventus match of the 2025-26 season. He picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during his side’s disappointing 2-0 loss at home against Fiorentina on Sunday, which means that he will be suspended for the final game of the campaign: The Derby della Mole against local rivals Torino this weekend. 

Outlets such as La Gazzetta dello Sport and TMW ponder whether the Fiorentina loss might have been Bremer’s final ever game for Juventus, though. The Brazilian has long been a stand-out member of the Old Lady’s defensive unit and continues to attract attention from the Premier League. 

He has a release clause in his contract said to be worth €58m, which can be activated during the first 10 days of August according to TMW. Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly at the front of the queue for Bremer’s signature. 

Bremer has spent the last eight seasons in Turin, joining Torino ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, before joining rivals Juventus in a deal worth €41m plus add-ons ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. 

He has since made 121 appearances across all competitions with the Bianconeri, scoring 12 goals, 11 of which have come in Serie A.

Pep Guardiola might have helped launch Enzo Maresca’s coaching career, but the Spaniard’s influence on the former Chelsea head coach began long before the Italian stepped into the world of management: ‘I realised I wanted to be a coach while playing against Barcelona’. 

According to reports from various outlets over the last 24 hours, Italian head coach Maresca is set to take over from Guardiola as head coach of Manchester City at the end of the 2026-27 season. 

Guardiola is expected to walk away from the Etihad stadium after 10 seasons in charge, during which time he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, three Community Shields, the 2022-23 Champions League, the 2023 Super Cup and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. 

Maresca has twice previously worked for Manchester City, initially as the head of their Elite Development Squad between 2020 and 2021 before leaving to take charge of Parma in Serie B. Maresca returned to City in 2022 to serve as an assistant coach under Guardiola. They would go on to complete an historic treble together that season. 

Now, Maresca looks set to return to Manchester for a third time, this time to replace the man that inspired him to become a head coach. 

What Maresca said about Guardiola’s influence

Maresca spoke about the influence that Guardiola has had on his career during an interview at the Festival dello Sport in Trento back in October. 

“I’ve been lucky to have a lot of great coaches, from Ancelotti to Lippi, but the style of football that has always fascinated me has been Guardiola’s,” Maresca said. “Playing against that Barcelona team with Sevilla made me realise I wanted to become a coach.” 

Maresca has worked under another one of Manchester City’s Premier League-winning head coaches in Manuel Pellegrini. 

“I was lucky enough to score two goals in the Europa League final, and to have a coach like Pellegrini, from whom I learned a lot. I also met my wife in Spain, the mother of my four children. There’s no comparison between the job of a coach and that of a father. The latter is much more difficult because you never know the right solution.” 

But Guardiola is still the one that Maresca holds in the highest esteem. 

“Being close to someone like Pep was fantastic, seeing how he looks at details and how he manages the team, that was fundamental for my growth.” 

Maresca also shared his amusing philosophy on the relationship between players and coaches: “When I was a player, my mother used to think that the players were always right and never the coaches. Now, she thinks that the coaches are always right and never the players. My wife, on the other hand, used to agree with the coaches, now she agrees with the players.” 

The 2026 Serie A season has become one of the most competitive Italian campaigns in recent years. The fight for Champions League places is extremely tight, with several clubs still battling for European qualification, and the relegation race is still changing almost every week.

Italian football discussions now extend far beyond stadiums and television broadcasts. Fans spend hours online debating tactics, transfers, title predictions, and relegation scenarios while also following poker streams, roulette tables, slot tournaments, and football betting discussions on platforms like cowboyspin casino.

This season stands out because nearly every section of the table remains active deep into the calendar. Very few clubs secured their objectives early, which keeps pressure high across the league.

Inter crowned Serie A champions

Inter won the fight for first place, which involved multiple clubs in the first part of the campaign. 

Several factors explained the tight standings in the first half of the season.

• Inconsistent away performances
• Heavy fixture schedules
• Injuries during key months
• Strong defensive organisation across the league

Unlike some previous seasons, no single club managed to dominate consistently from start to finish, but Inter emerged on top in the final months.

Defensive football still shapes Serie A

Italian football continues to prioritise tactical discipline and defensive structure.

Most top clubs rely heavily on:

Many matches remain balanced for long periods before one mistake changes everything.

Squad depth is becoming decisive

The modern football calendar continues to create physical pressure.

Clubs competing for titles and European qualification must handle:

1. Domestic league matches
2. Cup competitions
3. European fixtures
4. International player travel

Teams with stronger rotation options are managing fatigue more effectively during the final months.

Several clubs lost momentum because injuries exposed weak bench depth.

Home form continues influencing the standings

Home advantage still matters heavily in Serie A.

Some clubs perform dramatically better at home because of:

• Crowd pressure
• Familiar tactical rhythm
• Travel reduction
• Stronger defensive confidence

This season especially highlights how difficult away matches remain across Italy.

Even lower-table teams regularly take points from stronger opponents at home.

European qualification remains highly competitive

The battle for Champions League and Europa League spots looks almost as intense as the title race itself.

Several clubs remain separated by only a few points.

Current battles focus heavily on:

One positive or negative month can completely change league position.

Tactical flexibility matters more now

Managers increasingly adjust systems depending on opponents.

Many clubs regularly switch between:

• Back-three formations
• High-pressure systems
• Compact counterattacks
• Possession-focused setups

Rigid tactical structures often struggle against teams prepared to adapt during matches.

This flexibility has become one of the defining features of modern Serie A.

Younger players continue to gain importance

Several younger players have played major roles during the 2026 season.

Clubs increasingly trust younger talent because of:

1. Financial limitations
2. Athletic intensity
3. Transfer market inflation
4. Long-term development planning

Many emerging players now contribute directly in high-pressure matches instead of waiting years for opportunities.

Financial pressure still affects many clubs

Economic stability continues to heavily influence league performance.

Important financial factors include:

Clubs qualifying for Europe gain major advantages for future seasons.

Relegation battles remain unpredictable

The bottom section of the table changes constantly.

Several struggling teams continue fighting to avoid relegation through:

• Defensive discipline
• Coaching changes
• Emergency winter signings
• Strong home performances

One victory can suddenly move a club several positions upward because the standings remain extremely compressed.

Coaching changes continue shaping results

Serie A clubs still react quickly to poor form.

This season already featured multiple managerial changes.

Common reasons include:

1. Defensive instability
2. Lack of goals
3. Dressing room tension
4. Poor away results

Some coaching changes improved performance immediately, while others led to greater inconsistency.

Goal scoring remains uneven across the league

Several clubs continue struggling offensively despite strong organisation.

The biggest attacking issues involve:

Defensive structure often compensates temporarily, but scoring problems usually return later.

Mid-table clubs continue to affect the title race

One major feature of Serie A 2026 is the presence of competitive mid-table teams.

These clubs frequently:

• Take points from title contenders
• Control possession effectively
• Defend aggressively
• Create tactical problems for stronger sides

This balance prevents the league from becoming predictable.

Top teams rarely receive easy victories.

VAR discussions remain constant

Video review technology still creates debate almost every week.

The main complaints involve:

1. Handball interpretations
2. Offside margins
3. Penalty decisions
4. Inconsistent review timing

Fans and managers continue to question the consistency of decisions during high-pressure matches.

Despite criticism, VAR remains central to league officiating.

Italian clubs continue to emphasise tactical preparation

Serie A still prioritises tactical detail more heavily than many leagues.

Managers spend extensive time preparing:

This tactical culture continues to define Italian football identity.

Stadium atmosphere still influences performance

Several clubs rely heavily on home crowd intensity.

Supporters often influence matches through:

• Continuous pressure
• Emotional momentum
• Strong defensive encouragement
• Aggressive atmosphere during key moments

This factor becomes especially important in relegation battles and title-deciding matches.

Physical intensity has increased

Serie A today looks faster and more physically demanding than earlier generations.

Modern teams now emphasise:

1. Athletic pressing
2. Recovery speed
3. Defensive transitions
4. Constant movement without possession

The league still values tactical structure, but physical preparation now matters as much.

European schedules continue to create problems

Clubs involved in European competitions often struggle domestically afterwards.

Common issues include:

Several clubs lost league momentum because of overloaded schedules.

The final weeks may change everything

The standings remain unstable as the season enters its closing phase.

Critical factors now include:

• Injury management
• Psychological pressure
• Fixture difficulty
• Squad depth

Even clubs leading the table still face dangerous fixtures against relegation-threatened opponents fighting for survival.

Serie A remains tactically distinctive

While other leagues increasingly prioritise constant attacking football, Serie A still values control and structure.

This season especially highlights:

1. Tactical adaptability
2. Defensive discipline
3. Strategic game management
4. Match-by-match preparation

These qualities continue attracting football fans who enjoy detailed tactical battles.

Conclusion

Serie A 2026 remains highly competitive from top to bottom. The title race continues without a clear dominant side, European qualification battles remain crowded, and relegation pressure affects several clubs entering the final weeks.

Tactical organisation, squad depth, defensive discipline, and physical consistency all continue shaping results across the table. Small margins separate success from disappointment this season more than usual.

The final stretch of the campaign may still produce major changes across the standings, which explains why Serie A remains one of the most unpredictable leagues in European football.

Leonardo Bonucci has said that having Pep Guardiola as the Italy coach would be a ‘dream’, but for now, there are no concrete signs of this scenario materialising, with three main candidates emerging in the Italian media: Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and Claudio Ranieri.

Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season and be replaced by Italian tactician Enzo Maresca.

With Italy seeking a new coach after another World Cup heartbreak, Guardiola’s name has been mentioned for the job, not only by Italian media.

Why Guardiola is being linked with Italy job

Azzurri legend Bonucci, who served as Gennaro Gattuso’s assistant until March, said that the Spaniard would be the ideal man for the job: “I think it’s very hard, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything,” argued the ex-defender.

It remains unclear what Guardiola will do after leaving Manchester City, and, as highlighted by Goal.com, the Spaniard may take a sabbatical after ten years at the Etihad Stadium.

Of all the Italian media, Gazzetta dello Sport has been the only one to truly advocate for Guardiola’s appointment, extensively reporting on Pep’s strong ties to Italy stemming from his previous role as a midfielder for Roma and Brescia.

Italy will not hire a new coach before June 22, 2026, when the FIGC presidential election occurs, and a new chief of the Italian FA is appointed.

Contact has not yet been made with potential candidates, as the role of President of the Italian Federation remains vacant, with outgoing President Gabriele Gravina handling only administrative duties until next month.

As of today, however, the main candidates for the Azzurri job are Conte, Allegri and Ranieri.

The latter already turned down the opportunity to coach the Azzurri in June, following Spalletti’s dismissal.

“I said no to Italy before because I already had a job at Roma and could not do two jobs,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia earlier this month.

“At this point in time, I am free, so if anyone was to call, why not? Never say never.”

Allegri has one year left in his contract with Milan, but the deal will be extended to 2028 if the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League.

The Italian tactician’s future at San Siro remains uncertain due to disagreements with Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and CEO Giorgio Furlani.

Conte is expected to leave Napoli after just two seasons and has also publicly made himself available for a second stint as the Nazionale coach.

Juventus are at a major risk of missing out on Champions League football for 2026-27 after a disastrous set of results for the Bianconeri in the penultimate round of Serie A fixtures, so how much would it cost the Old Lady if they were to miss out on qualification for Europe’s premier competition? 

Juventus fell to a 2-0 defeat at home against Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon, while every other team in the Champions League race – Napoli, Milan, Roma and Como – all picked up important victories. 

The weekend’s results leaves Luciano Spalletti’s side in sixth place, two points shy of the top four heading into the final round of fixtures, and now, they need favours from both Roma and Como on the final day in order to qualify for the Champions League. 

How Juventus would be affected with no Champions League football in 2026-27

The last time that Juventus went without Champions League football was in 2023-24. The team had been handed a 10-point deduction in Serie A the season prior and were then excluded from participating in UEFA competitions due to a violation of the organising body’s financial regulations. 

Excluding 2023-24, Juventus have participated in every edition of the Champions League since 2012-13. 

Missing out on Champions League football had a major impact on Juventus’s accounts that year, recording their biggest loss of the last three financial years, amounting to losses of €199m. Their revenues also fell by around €78m that season .

Juventus revenues over the last three years

2022-23: €438m

2023-24: €360m

2024-25: €420m

Juventus net losses over the last three years

2022-23: -€124m

2023-24: -€199m

2024-25: -€58m

The 2023-24 season was, of course, when Juve were excluded from participating in Europe altogether, while in 2026-27, they will still be guaranteed a spot in the Europa League at least. The revenues brought in from the Champions League and the Europa League are not quite on the same level, though. 

As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, the difference between qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 and the Europa League quarter or semi-finals, realistic targets for the Bianconeri next season, would come to around €55m-€60m. 

11 Serie A players will miss the final round of 2025-26 fixtures due to suspension, including several players from Lazio and Roma following the Derby della Capitale last weekend. 

Which players will miss Serie A week 38 through suspension?

The decisions from the sports judge were confirmed on Tuesday, following the completion of Serie A’s Week 27 on Sunday night. 

Three players were shown red cards during the 37th round of Serie A fixtures. Lazio’s Nicolo Rovella and Roma’s Wesley Franca have both been handed one-match suspensions and fines of €10,000 each for their squabble during Sunday’s derby at the Stadio Olimpico. 

Fiorentina’s Luca Ranieri has also been suspended for one match after being heard making disrespectful insults towards the referee while on the substitutes’ bench. 

Nine other players will have to sit out of the final week of the season as a result of yellow card suspensions. 

Pisa’s Antonio Caracciolo and Verona’s Roberto Gagliardini are both up to 10 yellow cards for the season and will have to serve one-match suspensions. 

Udinese’s Hassane Kamara, Torino’s Guillermo Maripan, Juventus’s Gleison Bremer and Lazio pair Kenneth Taylor and Nuno Tavares have all accumulated five yellow cards for the 2025-26 season and will have to miss the final round of fixtures as a result. 

Inter coach Cristian Chivu met Nerazzurri directors this morning to discuss plans for the future and a contract extension until 2029.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Inter coach Chivu met Nerazzurri directors at the club headquarters this morning.

According to the report, President Beppe Marotta, directors Piero Ausilio and Dario Baccin attended the meeting alongside representatives of Oaktree Capital Partners.

Chivu meets Inter directors over new deal and transfers

Inter are said to have discussed a two-year contract extension with their coach.

Chivu’s current deal runs out in June 2027, but the Nerazzurri have already prepared a new agreement to 2029 with a substantial pay rise.

The two parties have also discussed future plans regarding key players, particularly Alessandro Bastoni, who is being pursued by Barcelona, as well as potential new signings to strengthen the team for the 2026-27 season.

Chivu has just completed his first full Serie A season, winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia.

A former Inter defender, the ex-Romania international previously served as an Inter Primavera coach and won the 2010 treble as a footballer at the Stadio Meazza under José Mourinho

Sources in Italy claim that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Giorgio Furlani’s futures at Milan are not guaranteed, with Gazzetta reporting that Adriano Galliani could return to San Siro.

Milan are set to review their internal organisation at the end of the season, as club owner Gerry Cardinale confirmed last week.

It is no secret that coach Massimiliano Allegri is not on good terms with Senior Advisor Ibrahimovic and CEO Furlani, and several sources in Italy, including Sky Sport’s Gianluca Di Marzio, claim that the pair faces an uncertain future at the club.

Ibrahimovic wasn’t even in the stands at Marassi on Sunday, when Milan beat Genoa 2-1 in the penultimate Serie A round, while Furlani joined Cardinale and sporting director Igli Tare.

The latter is expected to depart at the end of the campaign after just one year at Milan.

Galliani’s potential Milan return

Gazzetta adds that Furlani could decide to leave Milan on his own, paving the way for Galliani’s return to San Siro.

The former Monza director, 81, has long been linked to a return to Milan and has already held talks with Cardinale in recent months.

Galliani hired Allegri at Milan for the coach’s first stint at San Siro in 2010 and was one of the main figures behind the Rossoneri’s historical triumphs in the Berlusconi era.

Carlo Ancelotti explains that Neymar’s physical condition has ‘improved’, but he will have the ‘same duties’ as the other Brazilian players at the World Cup.

Ancelotti has named his 26-man Brazil squad for the World Cup, including Neymar and Serie A stars Gleison Bremer and Wesley.

Ancelotti: Brazil ‘assessed Neymar all season’

“We have assessed Neymar all season. He has really improved in recent times, improving his physical condition. He’s an important player, and he’ll be important at the World Cup,” Ancelotti said at a press conference via Tuttosport.

“Neymar will have the same duties as the other 25 players: he has a chance to play, or not play, staying on the bench or being introduced as a substitute. He has the same responsibility as the others. He’s an experienced player. In some roles, in goal and attack, we have prioritised experience.

“It was difficult to pick these 26 players because the competition is very high in this country,” added the Italian tactician.

“I want to thank everyone for their hard work and the fantastic effort to make it onto this list. It’s a list that expresses quality with a fantastic collective spirit, attitude, concentration and discipline. I’m sure it’s not a perfect list, but the team that will win the World Cup won’t be perfect. The perfect team doesn’t exist.

“We want to be a resilient team to try to win the World Cup. I’m not afraid to say we can win the World Cup. There are high expectations, and this gives more motivation; it’s an important aspect in the preparation.”

Luciano Spalletti is set for showdown talks with Juventus owner John Elkann amid disagreements between the Bianconeri coach and CEO Damien Comolli.

Juventus risk missing out on Champions League qualification after losing 2-0 at home on Sunday against Fiorentina.

Spalletti set for showdown talks with Juventus owner Elkann

The Bianconeri are two points below the top four with just 90 minutes left to play in Serie A this season.

Spalletti, who signed a new Juventus contract until 2028 in April, has already announced a meeting with the club’s owner, Elkann, suggesting that his relationship with CEO Comolli is not ideal.

Tuttosport highlights at least three reasons why Spalletti and Comolli don’t get along, starting with transfer decisions. The Italian tactician wanted a new centre-forward in the January window, but his requests were not satisfied.

• Read more – Juventus at a crossroads again: The recurring issue affecting the Old Lady

The role of technical director François Modesto also leaves Spalletti perplexed, as the Frenchman’s duties are not entirely clear.

According to the report, Spalletti would like another figure to link up the team and the club, with ex-Juventus director Matteo Tognozzi, now serving as the Rio Ave sporting director, being considered for a possible return.

Spalletti is also troubled by the role of Riccardo Pecini, one of Comolli’s main consultants on transfer decisions and the chief of the Bianconeri’s Scouting Department, who, however, is an external figure and doesn’t collaborate exclusively with Juventus.

According to the report, Spalletti doesn’t necessarily want Comolli sacked, but feels that he should have fewer powers over sporting decisions and team management.

The French director joined Juventus only one year ago, first as a General Manager, then as CEO from October 2025.

• Read more – Five reasons why Juventus CEO Comolli is at risk of the sack after just one year

Inter star Lautaro Martinez says Harry Kane is the best centre-forward in the world, even better than Erling Haaland, and hits back at José Mourinho: ‘It doesn’t make much sense to compare footballers from different eras.’

Gazzetta dello Sport asked Inter captain Lautaro Martinez to name the best centre-forward in the world currently: “Harry Kane. I also put him in front of Haaland for the way he controls the ball, links up, and reads the game, and for his headers; a phenomenon,” the Argentine replied.

Lautaro hits back at ex-Inter coach Mourinho

During the same interview, Lautaro discussed his private life and career, revealing that he would have considered leaving Inter last summer after the Club World Cup. He also added that he’d not remain in football after his retirement.

Ex-Inter coach Mourinho, a treble winner at San Siro in 2010, recently stated that no players in the current Inter squad would be starters in his legendary team, not even Lautaro, to whom he prefers Diego Milito.

“Everyone has their own ideas. It doesn’t make much sense to me to compare footballers from different eras,” Lautaro replied.

“The important thing is to think about the good of Inter without listening too much to the chatter. You have to live in the present, which is a lot. So much.”

Inter have secured the domestic double this season, lifting the Coppa Italia and the Scudetto, which they celebrated with their fans in an open-top bus parade on Sunday.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez admits he was tempted to leave the Nerazzurri after the 2025 Club World Cup and reveals he will ‘disappear’ after retirement: ‘Football is an environment I don’t like. You won’t hear about me anymore.’

• Read more – Lautaro says Kane better than Haaland, hits back at Mourinho: ‘Doesn’t make sense’

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez released a long interview with Gazzetta dello Sport after celebrating the domestic double with the Nerazzurri.

Inter won the Scudetto and Coppa Italia this season and celebrated their trophies with a parade in the streets of Milan on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri have taken revenge after a disappointing 2024-25 season, in which they finished as Serie A runners-up and lost the Champions League Final 5-0 against PSG.

After their elimination from the Club World Cup in the summer, Lautaro hit out at teammates who wanted to leave, urging them to find a new club if they no longer had the motivation to stay.

“I wanted to share what I saw in the locker room. I had to do it as a captain,” he said.

“Then I went on vacation, and for three weeks, I didn’t train; I just ate. In fact, when I came back, I weighed a little more…

“Speaking in public made noise. But I also had it in for myself, because I was not blameless. Then [Cristian] Chivu gave us a hand, bringing fresh air without taking anything away from Simone [Inzaghi], who made us live four wonderful years.”

Lautaro has been seeing a psychologist for a few years now, and his development on the pitch is also due to the mental work he does behind the scenes.

“I had so many personal problems, especially off the field, before my daughter was born,” he admitted.

“And therapy helped me, for example, in managing moments when I didn’t score goals. Sometimes I doubted myself, whether I was still capable of playing football, whether I deserved to be Inter’s No.10.

“Think about where the human mind can go. There, I realised that I needed support, because I was crawling into a tunnel. Even today, I continue to be followed by the society psychologist. He supported me during the 46 days of injury, which were not easy.”

Did he fear facing the same problems after last season?

“After the [Champions League] Final no, after the Club World Cup, yes. I thought about many things, and I suffered a lot. I’m not saying I asked to leave, but inside I felt that if an important offer had come in, then maybe… I was devastated.

“From that state of mind was born the interview that followed the elimination against Fluminense. I went out, put on my shirt and said what I thought.”

Lautaro is under contract with Inter until 2029 and would love to end his career at the Stadio Meazza.

“Surely, I’d love to. I still don’t have the keys to Appiano Gentile, but I’m almost there,” he said.

“My family and I are happy. We own a restaurant, and the kids go to school and have their friends. It’s hard for me to see myself elsewhere. In football, you never know, but if they don’t send me away, I’ll stay here.”

Lautaro immediately established contact with Chivu when the ex-defender was appointed as the new coach before the Club World Cup.

“I called him right away. I had no doubt he would do very well,” the striker said.

“I knew him from the matches we played in Appiano against his Primavera: he seemed predestined.”

Inter were eliminated from the Champions League knockout play-off by Bodo/Glimt this season. Somehow, has the elimination helped them to secure the domestic double?

“No, because I wanted to move forward in Europe. It wasn’t an advantage,” Lautaro said.

“Maybe by playing less you have more energy, but if you fight on every front, you always have the right mentality for the matches.”

Lautaro is the Serie A leading scorer, and the strike partnership with Lautaro is probably the best in Serie A.

“Marcus and I understood each other little by little. He’s a cheerful, special boy,” Lautaro said.

“I’m the serious one. We complete ourselves, even in the characters.”

Lautaro went on to talk about the upcoming World Cup and how he grew up in Argentina.

“I’ve prepared to get there [the World Cup] in the best shape possible,” he said.

“My father and my mother have arrived in time for Inter’s celebrations. They won’t come to the World Cup because they have to work, but they were happy to participate in Inter’s successes.

“My father was a footballer, and when he became a pro and reached the second division, he left his job as an aircraft mechanic at the naval base in Bahia Blanca. But the team got relegated, and there wasn’t much money to support a family. He reinvented himself as a nurse for older people, while my mother began earning a few pennies as a housekeeper. But we were three brothers, and money at home was never enough.

“Certain feelings made me improve as a man. I’ve learned humility from my parents, and I’m passing that respect on to my sons,” continued Lautaro.

“I used to go to my father’s team’s training sessions, and on matchdays I would hide in the dressing room to hear his speeches, as he was the captain.”

Perhaps those leadership skills helped him become the Inter captain as well.

“It’s something you have inside; you don’t train it. You must have leadership and personality,” said the 28-year-old.

“And set the example. But a captain is nothing without a group. I can only say Inter have a fantastic one, because everyone has a winning mentality.

“At 13, I also played basketball, because it’s a popular sport in Bahia Blanca: my brother Jano is a point guard in Serie A for Ferro Carril. At 15, however, I went to Racing, and my father asked me to choose. But there wasn’t much to decide; I was more suited to football.”

Who has sent him the most beautiful message these days?

“My grandma, who doesn’t feel well, made me emotional,” Lautaro replied.

“When I was a kid, she worked as a cleaner in the school where I studied, and I used to help her so she could finish earlier. Her name is Olga, and I have her name tattooed on my arm. I’m sorry we are far away now. The double is dedicated to her.”

Lautaro has netted 175 goals in competitive matches with the Nerazzurri.

“Honestly, I don’t even know how many goals I’ve scored,” he admitted.

“I know I’m third in the all-time Inter ranking, but that’s all. It’s not something I look at.”

The Nerazzurri’s all-time top goalscorer is Giuseppe Meazza, who netted 284 goals for the club. Does Lautaro hope to overtake him one day?

“It would be great, because Meazza is the history of Inter and Milano. I could make it, but I’d need to take penalty kicks again,” he replied, smiling.

How does he hope to be remembered in 10 or 20 years?

“Like a person who has always given everything,” he said.

Lastly, Lautaro revealed that he’d change his life after retirement.

“I won’t remain in football; it’s an environment I don’t like. You won’t hear about me anymore. I’ll disappear,” he concluded.

Reports in Italy indicate that Antonio Conte is likely to leave Napoli by mutual agreement, with a strong possibility of becoming the new Italy coach.

Napoli and Conte are set to part ways at the end of the season, according to reports from Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport.

The Pink Paper reports that Conte and Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis have already decided to split during a meeting in mid-April.

Conte targets Italy role

Conte hinted that he’d leave the Partenopei after Sunday’s win over Pisa, but the decision has yet to be confirmed by the club.

According to Gazzetta, Conte is eager to become the Italy coach after the FIGC Presidential election on June 22.

Conte has one year left on his contract at the Stadio Maradona, and even if Corriere dello Sport is more cautious about Conte’s exit, it has been reported that, if the Italian tactician leaves, it will be by mutual consent and without a payout for the coach.

Gazzetta confirms that Maurizio Sarri is the leading candidate to take over at the Stadio Maradona, but Milan’s Massimiliano Allegri is also in the running.

Sarri has admitted he’s unhappy at Lazio, saying he’ll leave the club if his plans don’t align with the Biancocelesti’s.

Allegri, on the other hand, has clashed with Milan Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and is not on good terms with CEO Giorgio Furlani, so the Livorno-born tactician is expected to leave the Rossoneri if the club’s management doesn’t change next season.

Fresh Serie A champions Inter have unveiled their new home kit for the 2026-27 campaign.

Serie A giants Inter, the 2025-26 Italian champions, have just launched their new home kit for the next season.

The Nerazzurri have shown pictures and videos of the new jersey on social media.

Inter explained in a statement on Tuesday that the shirt was inspired by “Milano’s sartorial soul and timeless elegance” with references to some of the most iconic kits in the club’s history.

“The new kit blends classic details with modern and innovative elements, creating a jersey that looks to the future without losing its connection to the past. The use of Nike’s most advanced technologies allows for a perfect synthesis of heritage and innovation,” the Nerazzurri continued.

“The 2026/27 Home Kit is defined by a combination of Black and Lyon Blue colours, paying tribute to Inter’s historic 1998 shirt, while the University Gold detailing nods to the yellow of the Nike swoosh and the Club crest from that iconic kit.

“The reintroduction of the collar brings a touch of tradition back into a contemporary silhouette, while on the inside, the Inner Pride reads “Made of Milano”, a concept that highlights the unbreakable bond between Inter and the city. This concept is also reflected in the kit’s graphic details, with stripe edges finished in a style inspired by the cut of tailor’s scissors, a direct reference to Milano’s tailoring and manufacturing tradition.”

Watch: Inter’s new 2026-27 home kit

Made of Milano, worn loud.
Where focus meets instinct.
Introducing the Inter 2026/27 Home Kit.

Discover more https://t.co/uettp4UeEU@nikefootball pic.twitter.com/ByYhplE7oQ

— Inter (@Inter_en) May 19, 2026

Multiple sources claim that Italian tactician Enzo Maresca has reached a principle of agreement with Manchester City to replace Pep Guardiola.

Former Chelsea coach Maresca is set to return to Manchester City to replace Guardiola in the 2026-27 campaign.

According to TalkSport, the two parties have reached a principle of agreement over a three-year deal.

Maresca set to sign three-year deal at Man City

According to the report, Maresca has turned down approaches from Serie A, La Liga and other Premier League clubs.

Back in March, Italian sources claimed that Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici had offered Maresca the job at the Stadio Franchi, but the ex-Chelsea boss was already hoping to replace Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

A former Guardiola assistant at Manchester City, Maresca left Chelsea by mutual consent on January 1, 2026, after winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup with the Blues.

La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms that Manchester City will soon announce Guardiola’s departure and Maresca’s appointment.

Maresca seems to have already identified a potential reinforcement for Manchester City in Serie A, as Atalanta-owned Marco Palestra is said to be among the Citizens’ targets for the 2026-27 campaign.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Exclusive Lautaro

Inter forever

The double for my Grandma, I will never leave. They’ll have to kick me out.

I felt devastated, and I wanted to give up. When I retire, I’ll disappear.

Allegri, reinforcements worthy of Milan: It’s the only way he can stay.

Conte: Italy votes for Antonio; he’s ready to return. Napoli, Sarri is the favourite

Spalletti: The coach’s torments. The mission (almost) failed. Assessments on Juve.

Corriere dello Sport

Juve and Napoli: Spalletti must talk to Exor’s No.1.

Overhaul

Lucio and Comolli, Elkann decides, and Conte frees himself

Without the Champions League, 40m less for summer transfers. Chiellini: ‘Let’s wait to finish the season.’ Antonio, pact with DeLa: mutual contract rescission and no buyout if they split.

Allegri, three points are worth 100m

Milan need a win against Cagliari to qualify: the money for the market at stake

Inter looking for Vuskovic and Araujo

Roma to Ryan: Dan’s move

Lotito prepares to break up with Sarri

Tuttosport

Lucio-Comolli: the showdown

With Champions League qualification at risk, Spalletti asks for clarity regarding the project and the CEO’s role

Different views and an inexistent relationship: ahead together only if the technical duties of the French director (who scolded the team yesterday) are reduced. From Modesto’s task to Pecini’s shadow. In the meantime, Tognozzi’s return is being considered.

Derby Toro: A crazy push from the fans!

Anti-Milan banners: investigation on Thuram.

Fine incoming for the Frenchman, meanwhile, Oaktree wants a top talent: Zanetti pushing for Paz.

Cardinale’s breakthrough, stop to Ibra

The owner has decided to end internal disagreements by making clear decisions. Allegri, national team doubts

Carlo Ancelotti has named his World Cup squad for the Brazilian national team, including two Serie A players, Gleison Bremer and Wesley, as well as Neymar.

Italian coach Ancelotti has named his 26-man squad list for the upcoming World Cup.

The Italian tactician has included two Serie A players in his team, both defenders: Juventus centre-back Bremer and Roma’s full-back Wesley.

Ancelotti’s side are among the frontrunners to lift the trophy as the tournament travels to the United States of America, Canada and Mexico for its 2026 edition.

One of the main talking points prior to the announcement was whether or not former Barcelona and PSG winger Neymar would be selected. Currently playing for his boyhood club Santos in Brazil, the winger’s selection was highly contentious. In the end, Ancelotti decided to include the 34-year-old in the squad.

Alex Sandro, Danilo, Marquinhos and Paquetà are among the ex-Serie A stars included in the Brazilian team for the World Cup.

Ancelotti’s side have been included in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

Full Brazil squad for 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers
Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio).
​
Defenders:
Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma).
​
Midfielders: 
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Man United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Paquetà (Flamengo)
​
Attackers 
​Endrick (Lione), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Man United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcellona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius (Real Madrid).

Simone Inzaghi is set to leave Al-Hilal after just one season in Saudi Arabia, despite having signed a two-year contract worth €26 million per season last summer.

The Italian coach’s departure appears imminent, with sources in Saudi Arabia reporting, via TuttoMercatoWeb, that an exit is all but confirmed once Al-Hilal’s final Saudi Pro League fixture is completed.

A change of ownership at the club is understood to have contributed to the decision, alongside scrutiny over several expensive summer signings that failed to deliver the expected returns, most notably Darwin Nunez.

Inzaghi enters managerial market as he reflects on Inter departure

The development puts Inzaghi back into the European coaching pool after less than a year away, with the question now being whether he will seek an immediate return to Italian football or look elsewhere.

In recent comments, Inzaghi offered a candid account of his departure from Inter last summer.

“The truth is that everything happened very quickly,” he said.

“Two days after Monaco we met at Marotta’s house, with Ausilio and Baccin present. In that context I expressed the need for a change, because I felt a cycle had come to an end. They would have liked to continue with me but they understood the choice, we parted as friends and still are. But if we had won the Champions League I would have stayed at Inter.”

Inzaghi also acknowledged that he had previously resisted approaches from other clubs. “Even in other situations there had been requests and I had never accepted them,” he said.

Benjamin Pavard has officially bid farewell to Olympique de Marseille following the conclusion of his loan spell, with the French defender now set to return to Inter Milan as the club decide on his future, though all indications suggest his time at the Nerazzurri is also drawing to a close.

The defender joined Marseille on the final day of last summer’s transfer window and ends his stint with the club following their final league fixture, a 3-1 win over Rennes.

His spell in the south of France was largely underwhelming, with Marseille opting against activating their €15 million purchase option, the second club in the same season to pass on making his move permanent, following Nottingham Forest’s similar decision in the first half of the campaign.

Pavard bids emotional farewell to Marseille as Inter future remains uncertain

Pavard took to Instagram to mark his departure, striking a warm and grateful tone despite what had been a difficult year professionally.

“Wearing this shirt will remain an unforgettable experience in my career and in my life,” he wrote. “I always tried to give my all on the pitch and to represent this club with respect and dedication. I leave with many emotions, precious lessons learned and the memory of a dressing room that stayed united until the end. Thank you to the club, the staff, my teammates and everyone who supported us this season. Best of luck to Marseille for the future.”

The gracious farewell belies a stark reality. Pavard returns to Inter carrying a €5 million per season contract that runs until 2028, making him a costly and difficult asset to move on.

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The club have already communicated to the defender that his future does not lie at Appiano Gentile, and the coming weeks will be spent finding a new destination.

With his reputation dented by a difficult 18 months and his market value considerably lower than when he arrived from Bayern Munich in 2023, the options available to him may be more limited than he would have hoped.