Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing Roma to secure contract renewals for four out-of-contract players this summer, including Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, both of whom have been linked with Inter Milan, while Zeki Celik has also attracted interest from Liverpool.

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According to Sky Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the recent departures of Claudio Ranieri and sporting director Frederic Massara have actually brought the squad closer together, with Gasperini using that unity to press the club for a clean sweep of renewals.

Alongside Dybala, Pellegrini and Celik, winger Stephan El Shaarawy is also out of contract, with all four previously considered likely to leave at the end of the season.

Gasperini pushes Roma board to retain key quartet despite summer uncertainty

The situation has shifted, however, with Gasperini now understood to want all four players kept at the club.

His desire to retain them comes amid significant external interest, especially at zero cost.

Celik has been linked with both Inter and Liverpool, while Pellegrini has also been mentioned in connection with the Nerazzurri.

Dybala, meanwhile, has been repeatedly linked with a return to Argentina to join Boca Juniors.

Keeping hold of these players would be a significant mark of strength from Roma, especially as fans feel many still have something to give to the club.

Losing any of them, especially to a division rival like Inter, would be a huge blow, especially as

Jamie Carragher has ruled out Antonio Conte as a candidate to become the next Chelsea manager while identifying Como head coach Cesc Fabregas as one of the most exciting emerging coaches in football, as the Blues search for a permanent successor to interim manager Callum McFarlane.

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According to comments made on Sky Sports, via the Standard, Carragher was unequivocal about several names on the shortlist.

“You can probably rule out the bottom three, Mourinho, Lampard and Conte,” he said. “They’ve all managed Chelsea before, so I don’t see that. Fabregas does look like right now one of the new hot things in football, doing really well. Filipe Luis is doing really well, obviously had a spell at Chelsea as a player.”

Carragher says Chelsea is ‘broken’ as Como boss Fabregas emerges amongst leading candidates

Carragher reserved particular praise for Andoni Iraola before returning to the broader problem facing any incoming manager, a club he believes has been fundamentally damaged by its ownership.

“It’s shocking, and it comes from the top,” he said. “There are five or six really top players on that pitch and they’ve just been beaten by Nottingham Forest’s B team. Less than 12 months ago they were taking PSG to the cleaners. This football club is broken.”

On the challenge of attracting players, he added: “If I were a young player, why would I sign for Chelsea? They’d give me 12 months and if I wasn’t amazing, they’d buy another player in my place. How do you build a connection between players, fans and staff? It’s not there.”

The context makes Fabregas’s candidacy all the more intriguing. The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder has impressed enormously in his first adventure as a top-flight manager, guiding Como to the brink of European qualification.

His connection to Chelsea, where he spent two seasons as a player, adds another layer to what would be a compelling appointment, and Carragher’s endorsement will only strengthen his standing as a frontrunner.

Juventus risk losing some of their most prized assets this summer if they fail to secure Champions League qualification, with Real Madrid among the clubs monitoring Kenan Yildiz and Premier League sides keeping tabs on Francisco Conceicao.

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According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the weekend’s home draw against already-relegated Verona has intensified the pressure on Juventus, leaving the club in a precarious position in the race for a top-four finish. The consequences of missing out would stretch well beyond the dugout.

Yildiz, Conceicao and Bremer all at risk without Champions League football for Juventus

Yildiz is understood to be a long-standing target of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, and while the young Turkish forward is devoted to the Juventus cause, the club’s ability to retain him would be significantly weakened without European football to offer.

Conceicao has also attracted sustained Premier League interest, and Gleison Bremer, who publicly apologised for his error in the Verona draw, has similarly not fallen off the radar of top clubs.

Dusan Vlahovic’s situation adds another layer of complexity.

His contract talks remain unresolved, and without Champions League football, the Serbian would likely be far more receptive to approaches from clubs already guaranteed a place in Europe’s elite competition next season.

The organised supporter groups of both Lazio and Inter Milan will stay away from the Stadio Olimpico for Saturday’s Serie A clash between the two sides, with Lazio’s ultras continuing their protest against the club’s ownership while Inter’s groups have chosen to join them in solidarity.

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According to Radio Laziale, via LaLazioSiamoNoi, representatives of Lazio’s organised supporter groups confirmed the decision, explaining that both sets of fans will instead gather together at Ponte Milvio ahead of kick-off. The boycott forms part of a wider protest that has characterised the second half of Lazio’s season.

Lazio ultras eye Coppa Italia final as priority amid Serie A boycott

The groups were keen to stress, however, that the decision is also partly tactical, with the Coppa Italia final against Inter just four days away, staying outside is seen as a way of easing tension and building unity ahead of the Stadio Olimpico showpiece.

“For the final we will be inside the stadium,” a supporter group representative said.

“The decision to stay outside for the league match, together with Inter’s organised groups, was also taken to enjoy the build-up together. A way of lowering the tension and anxiety four days before the Coppa Italia final. It will be a chance to be together and pass on some communications to the fans present. On Wednesday we will need great clarity and everyone pulling together. I’ll say it now: get in early on Wednesday.”

Christian Pulisic could be set for a return to English football this summer, with Manchester United reportedly identifying the United States international as a priority target and AC Milan valuing the attacker at around €60 million.

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According to Calciomercato.it, via MilanNews24, United have moved decisively for Pulisic, preferring him over other targets including Rafael Leão, with whom a swap deal involving Joshua Zirkzee had previously been mooted before falling through.

The Red Devils are said to be attracted by the American’s versatility, with his ability to operate as a winger, attacking midfielder or second striker particularly appealing to the club’s recruitment team.

Milan in no rush to sell Pulisic despite Manchester United interest

Milan, however, are not under pressure to sell and are reportedly minded to wait before entering serious negotiations. The club are understood to want to monitor Pulisic’s performances at the World Cup with the United States national team, with the hope that a strong tournament could increase his market value beyond the current €60 million asking price.

A meeting between the two clubs is expected at the end of the season to establish both the player’s wishes and United’s genuine intentions. Despite Milan’s struggles in front of goal in recent months, Pulisic remains one of their most valuable assets and the club have no intention of letting him leave on the cheap.

A move to Old Trafford would represent a return to England for Pulisic, who spent four years at Chelsea before joining Milan in 2023.

Inter Milan are already planning their summer transfer business after clinching the Scudetto, with president Beppe Marotta having made clear the club intend to strengthen their Italian core with young, homegrown talent, though departures will shape how aggressively they can move.

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Marotta set out his vision clearly in the aftermath of the title win.

“We have very clear ideas on how to act, thanks also to dialogue with the ownership, who will set the economic guidelines,” he said. “It is important to have a solid core of Italians. We need to continue and look at who the best young Italian players are.”

But who have the Nerazzurri been linked with and how can Marotta realistically strengthen Chivu’s side for the next campaign?

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Marco Palestra and Giovanni Leoni among Inter summer targets

The name most readily associated with that approach is Marco Palestra. The winger is currently on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta and has long been admired by Inter, who face the potential departure of Denzel Dumfries this summer.

Palestra fits Marotta’s blueprint precisely, young, Italian, and highly rated. Prising him from Atalanta will not come cheap, however, with his valuation already reported at around €40 million.

Marotta acknowledged the difficulty himself. “Unfortunately he is not ours, but he is a player of great future,” he said. “Alongside young Italians, we will also target experienced foreigners capable of bringing a winning culture.”

With Premier League clubs keen on the Atalanta-owned wing-back, Inter could find themselves quickly priced out of a move, even after comfortably winning Serie A this season.

Giovanni Leoni is another name on the Nerazzurri’s radar.

Inter were keen on the teenage defender last summer before Liverpool moved quickly to sign him, and the connection runs deeper now that Chivu, who coached Leoni at Parma, is in charge at Appiano Gentile.

A serious injury sustained in September kept Leoni out for much of the season, and should Liverpool consider moving him on, Inter are expected to be among the frontrunners.

A return to Italy could be the sensible move for the youngster’s career, away from the pressures of the Premier League.

Leoni has spoken warmly of Chivu’s influence. “When he arrived at Parma we were in a bad way,” the defender said. “He is brilliant at building relationships with players. He would never speak badly of you publicly.”

On the departures side, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian are both set to leave, while the futures of Stefan de Vrij, also out of contract, and Dumfries remain unresolved. How Inter navigate those exits will go a long way to determining the scale of their summer recruitment.

Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has addressed speculation linking Alessandro Bastoni with Barcelona, insisting the defender is content at the club despite concrete interest yet to materialise, as the Nerazzurri savour a third Scudetto title in five years.

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According to comments made by Marotta on Radio Anch’Io Sport, the president was candid about the situation surrounding the Italy international.

“He is a great talent,” Marotta said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“He was unlucky in certain episodes. Everyone had their eyes on him. He made that naive mistake against Juventus with the simulation, he was the first to admit it, but we protected him. He is a great champion. I won’t deny there is interest from Barcelona, but nothing concrete yet. A player leaves if he expresses the desire to go. At this moment he is happy to be with us and we are happy with him.”

Marotta bullish on Inter’s Italian core ahead of title defence

Bastoni’s situation will dominate the summer agenda at Inter, but Marotta was equally forthcoming on broader ambitions.

On strengthening the squad’s Italian nucleus, he said: “Italy produces talent. We want to build a solid core of Italians, some are getting older so it is right to add more. For the Scudetto, you need a core who understands Italian football.”

Marotta also confirmed the Champions League remains a personal obsession.

“I have reached four finals and unfortunately lost them all,” he admitted. “It is something I still want to achieve, but next year we will try to improve in that competition.”

Gleison Bremer has publicly apologised after a costly defensive mistake contributed to Juventus dropping points in a home draw against Verona, with the Brazilian centre-back admitting he should have done better.

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Bremer’s error came when he attempted to play out from the back inside his own penalty area, looking to find Pierre Kalulu, but the pass was intercepted by Bradaric.

The Verona winger immediately fed Bowie, who was left unmarked and beat Di Gregorio at his near post to give the visitors the lead.

Bremer admits he must do better after Juventus slip-up

Taking to Instagram shortly after the final whistle, the defender offered a direct apology. “Today, due to a miscommunication, the mistake was mine,” Bremer wrote.

“I take full responsibility, no excuses. I should have done better. Now more united than ever, until the end.”

It was not an isolated struggle on the evening. Bremer was reported to have had a difficult night dealing with Bowie throughout, frequently coming off second best in aerial duels and physical battles.

Head coach Luciano Spalletti also addressed the error after the match, acknowledging it as a known limitation in his side’s game.

“Bremer and Kelly are two great defenders in terms of individual quality and in one-v-one duels,” Spalletti said. “But in terms of building from the back they do concede something, these are aspects we have to live with.”

The slip is likely to reignite scrutiny of Bremer’s composure in possession, and will also bring renewed attention to comments the defender made in a press conference weeks earlier.

“At Juventus they have been treading water for six years and that cannot happen,” he said at the time. “It is important to go back to winning. To be considered champions you have to win, and I want to win.”

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