Ismael Kone has a €35 million release clause in his Sassuolo contract that is valid until the end of July, with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus all understood to be among the clubs interested in signing one of Serie A’s standout performers this season.

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According to Fabrizio Romano, via TuttoMercatoWeb, contacts between the parties are expected before the start of the World Cup, which Koné will feature in as a key member of the Canada squad.

Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali has also addressed the situation publicly. “I haven’t spoken with Inter or Milan about Koné, but it’s also true that we have had some requests from foreign clubs,” he said. “It’s possible that an Inter-Milan derby could emerge. We need to find the best situation for him, but at the same time for us too.”

Sassuolo open to Kone sale as Serie A giants circle ahead of World Cup

Milan sporting director Igli Tare has already publicly confirmed his club’s interest, and with the release clause set at a fixed figure, the race is likely to come down to the player’s preference rather than a negotiation over fee.

Inter and Juventus have also been linked with the Sassuolo man, in what promises to be a difficult battle for his signature.

As Carnevali noted, there is also interest from abroad in the Canadian, meaning Italian clubs will want to act fast to avoid missing out.

Koné will head into the summer with considerable leverage, having established himself as one of the most dynamic midfielders in Serie A this season.

Dusan Vlahovic came off the bench for his first goal of 2026 to rescue a point for Juventus against relegated Verona, but it’s a missed opportunity to go third.

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The Bianconeri hoped to make the most of Como, Napoli and Milan dropping points, with Kenan Yildiz back in the starting XI after two games as a substitute and Dusan Vlahovic ready for the bench, leaving only Arek Milik and Juan Cabal out of action. A victory here would’ve put the Old Lady in joint third with Milan. Hellas were already doomed to relegation this weekend, with Nicolas Valentini suspended, Gift Orban frozen out for an altercation with a fan, and Armel Bella-Kotchap, Cheikh Niasse, Daniel Oyegoke, Suat Serdar and Daniel Mosquera injured.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Francisco Conceicao tested Lorenzo Montipò at the near post, then the Kenan Yildiz pull-back for Jonathan David was intercepted, and Andrias Edmundsson threw himself in the path of the David angled drive.

A corner was not cleared very far, so the Pierre Kalulu cross back in was flicked onto the crossbar off Gleison Bremer’s head on 26 minutes.

Manuel Locatelli saw his strike deflected just wide, then the midfielder was perhaps harshly booked for simulation when going down in a coming together with Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro.

Moments later, Verona took the surprise lead when Bremer was caught napping passing out from the back, intercepted by Domagoj Bradaric and rolled across from the left for Kieron Bowie to sweep in. It was all the more remarkable considering Juve had kept four consecutive clean sheets before that gift.

The Scotland international nearly got another when deflected over by Lloyd Kelly, while Edmundsson made another decisive block on Andrea Cambiaso.

Dusan Vlahovic was thrown on for Khephren Thuram after the restart and Juve moved to 4-4-2. A couple of crosses were a little too high for the Serbian, but he got them on level terms and ended his 180-day goal drought by bending a free kick around the Verona wall and into the near bottom corner. Remarkably, it was also the first direct free kick scored by Juventus in Serie A this season.

Akpa Akpro risked an own goal intercepting the Conceicao pull-back to turn over from four yards, but Montipò made two extraordinary reaction saves in the space of a minute, both to deny Conceicao from point-blank range at the back post.

Conceicao also drilled wide from the edge of the area, while Jeremie Boga couldn’t surprise Montipò at the far stick on an Edon Zhegrova cross.

Boga saw his curler intercepted by a Hellas chest in the six-yard box, but Edon Zhegrova was unlucky in stoppages when his angled drive thumped the base of the near post and hit the goalkeeper on the back, but ricocheted back out.

It means both Juve’s games against Verona ended 1-1 this season, dropping four points overall in these fixtures.

Juventus 1-1 Verona

Bowie 34 (V), Vlahovic 62 (J)

03-05-2026 17:00

MatchDay 35

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Juventus

Verona

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		5'		Roberto Gagliardini
		31'		Martin Frese
Manuel Locatelli		33'
		34'		Kieron Bowie (Assist: Domagoj Bradaric)

2nd half

Dusan Vlahovic		62'
		63'		Antoine Bernede
		90+5'		Abdou Harroui

Match statistic

76

Possession %

24

29

Total shots

7

7

Shots on target

3

9

Shots off target

3

13

Blocked shots

1

14

Corners

1

9

Fouls

19

Juventus

Verona

Starting lineups

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

75'

3

Bremer

Defender

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

80'

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

46'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

80'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

69'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

1

Lorenzo Montipò

Goalkeeper

5

Andrias Edmundsson

Defender

12

Domagoj Bradaric

Defender

71'

3

Martin Frese

Defender

7

Rafik Belghali

Defender

15

Victor Nelsson

Defender

24

Antoine Bernede

Midfielder

80'

11

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro

Midfielder

63

Roberto Gagliardini

Midfielder

18

Kieron Bowie

Attacker

10

Tomas Suslov

Attacker

71'

Substitutes

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

2

Emil Holm

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

9

Dusan Vlahovic

Attacker

46'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

69'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

75'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

80'

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

80'

34

Simone Perilli

Goalkeeper

14

Pol Lirola

Defender

94

Giacomo Toniolo

Goalkeeper

9

Amin Sarr

Attacker

70

Fallou Cham

Defender

90

Ioan Vermesan

Attacker

41

Isaac

Attacker

4

Sandi Lovric

Midfielder

71'

19

Tobias Slotsager

Defender

71'

21

Abdou Harroui

Midfielder

80'

Massimiliano Allegri says that he understands his fan’s frustrations, but has urged for calm after watching his Milan side fall to a disappointing 2-0 defeat away against Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon. 

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The Rossoneri conceded within the first few minutes of both halves; Domenico Berardi finding the net after five minutes and Armand Lauriente after 47, which means that they have now won just one of their last five matches in Serie A. Now, the Rossoneri could potentially slip down to fourth place by the end of Sunday evening. 

Click here to follow the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches.

Allegri responds after Sassuolo 2-0 Milan: ‘We approached both halves badly’

“We approached both halves badly, especially the second. We threw it away, that’s how it’s going in this period. You can’t waste 10 months of work. Now we have to think about Atalanta,” said Allegri in a post-match interview with DAZN (via TMW).

“Technically, we made a lot of mistakes. It was a bad day, a bad Sunday. We have to meet again on Tuesday and work to fix it.” 

Despite the fact that Milan have not yet secured a Champions League spot for next season, Allegri has no doubt that the Rossoneri will finish the 2025-26 season in the all-important top four. 

“It’s not at risk. I would be very happy to confirm it on the final day as well, I’ve always said it. I am with the team every day and this is a difficult moment. We have to stay calm and take responsibility, we have to prepare as best we can for the game against Atalanta.

“We’ve done 10 months of good work, we’re in the final stretch. We haven’t done very well in the second half of the season, we can’t change that anymore. We just have to look ahead.

“Until the end, we have to stay grounded and work to overcome these moments of difficulty. I understand the fans, we all wanted to get over the finish line quickly, but we can’t get anxious.” 

Allegri does not deny the fact that the sending off of Fikayo Tomori after 24 minutes had a big impact on proceedings, but didn’t appear too critical of his centre-back, despite his two early yellow cards. 

“The sending off conditioned the game. These things happen. The important thing is to get back up quickly. We need two positive results to get into the Champions League, let’s just think about that.” 

Allegri was also asked why he decided to take off Christopher Nkunku for Zachary Athekame at the half-time interval. 

“I wanted to take the game forward as much as possible and give some balance, but it didn’t help because we immediately conceded.” 

It was an afternoon to forget for Milan, who fell to a 2-0 defeat away against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday, and were then loudly booed by their travelling supporters in an awkward moment after the full-time whistle. 

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What happened after full-time of Sassuolo 2-0 Milan?

An early strike from Domenico Berardi was followed by a goal from Armand Lauriente to send Sassuolo 2-0 up against Milan, who had been playing with 10 men since the 24th minute after Fikayo Tomori was sent off for two yellow card offences. 

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

It has been a disappointing end to the 2025-26 season for Milan, who have only picked up four points from their last five matches, falling to defeats against Sassuolo, Udinese and Napoli over that period. 

Now, the Rossoneri could end the weekend in fourth place if Juventus win against the already-relegated Hellas Verona later on Sunday evening. 

Milan supporters made their frustrations clear after the Sassuolo defeat. The Rossoneri players did not go and thank their supporters in front of the stand, instead staying in the centre circle while being loudly jeered from a distance. 

Sky Sport Italia reports that captain Mike Maignan began to lead his players over to the stand to applaud their supporters, but then began to head towards the dressing rooms upon hearing the boos, which only made the reception worse. 

Milan will have an opportunity to respond next Sunday when they host Atalanta in San Siro. Then come tests against Genoa and Cagliari to close the 2025-26 campaign.

Milan crumbled in a 2-0 defeat to Sassuolo when down to 10 men for over an hour due to Fikayo Tomori’s red card, as Domenico Berardi and Armand Laurienté scored.

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The Rossoneri could catch Napoli in second place with a victory and consolidate the Champions League spot, but Luka Modric’s season was over after surgery for a fractured cheekbone. Ardon Jashari stepped in, with Christopher Nkunku pushing off-form Christian Pulisic to the bench. Domenico Berardi was back after a two-match ban for the Neroverdi, though Darryl Bakola, Fali Cande, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo were injured.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took under five minutes for Berardi to confirm his extraordinary record against Milan, as this was his 12^th career goal past them. Kristian Thorstvedt robbed Jashari in midfield and it was quickly moved left to right, for Berardi to bend a first-time finish into the far bottom corner with the inside of the left foot.

Moments later, Mike Maignan made a one-handed save on the M’Bala Nzola counter-attack, while both teams had penalty appeals waved away as Berardi had his arm behind his back, then Armand Laurienté went down too easily under pressure from Matteo Gabbia, the same with Christopher Nkunku at the other end.

Rafael Leao wasted a golden opportunity when blasting wide with only the goalkeeper to beat after a defensive error sent him clear on goal.

Things went from bad to worse for Milan, as Fikayo Tomori brought down Laurienté on the counter for his second yellow card, leaving his team down to 10 for over an hour.

Strahinja Pavlovic made a decisive block on Thorstvedt and Jay Idzes limped off injured, while Alexis Saelemaekers drilled wide.

Sassuolo doubled their lead within 90 seconds of the restart, as Laurienté completed a give and go with Thorstvedt just inside the area, the finish thumped low and hard into the near bottom corner.

Zachary Athekame fired over, while Nzola and Thorstvedt failed to keep their efforts on target, while both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alieu Fadera were booked for simulation in the box.

This result means that with a victory over Verona today, Juventus could catch Milan in joint third place, while they have failed to score in five of the last seven games.

Sassuolo 2-0 Milan

Berardi 5 (S), Laurienté 47 (S)

Sent off: Tomori 24 (M)

03-05-2026 14:00

MatchDay 35

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Milan

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Domenico Berardi (Assist: Armand Lauriente)		5'
		9'		Fikayo Tomori
		24'		Fikayo Tomori
Nemanja Matic		38'

2nd half

Armand Lauriente (Assist: Kristian Thorstvedt)		47'
Ulisses Garcia		57'
		71'		Samuele Ricci
		77'		Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Cristian Volpato		89'
Alieu Fadera		90+4'

Match statistic

58

Possession %

42

13

Total shots

6

4

Shots on target

0

5

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

1

2

Corners

3

1

Offsides

1

16

Fouls

16

Sassuolo

Milan

Starting lineups

13

Stefano Turati

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

40'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

46'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

85'

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

59'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

84'

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

2

Pervis Estupiñán

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

12

Adrien Rabiot

Midfielder

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

59'

30

Ardon Jashari

Midfielder

66'

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

59'

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

46'

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

59'

Substitutes

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

3

Josh Doig

Defender

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

33

Christian Frangella

Midfielder

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

40'

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

46'

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

59'

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

84'

20

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

85'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

9

Niclas Füllkrug

Attacker

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

46'

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

59'

11

Christian Pulisic

Attacker

59'

7

Santiago Giménez

Attacker

59'

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

66'

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