Inter legend Beppe Bergomi insists Milan, Juventus and Napoli can’t settle for a mere top-four finish next season and warns Barcelona about Alessandro Bastoni’s price tag: ‘He has great value…’

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Inter and Italy legend Bergomi examined the Nerazzurri’s title-winning campaign in an interview with Repubblica, where he also discussed the improvements that Cristian Chivu’s team will need for 2026-27.

Chivu has won the Scudetto in his first full Serie A season as a coach, and Bergomi had no doubts about the former defender’s quality in the dugout.

“I knew he’d do well. Roberto Samaden, who had long been in charge of the youth sector, told me that Cristian could win his players’ hearts, and he did,” he said.

Bergomi went on to name the key Inter player this term.

“Lautaro. He’s the top scorer despite playing fewer games than in the past,” he said.

“He has amazing quality and leadership skills. Zielinski and Dimarco are just one step behind.”

Bergomi feels the Nerazzurri’s target for next season is already set, but he also sent a warning to the other contenders.

“Win the league again, and it is not only true for Inter,” he claimed.

“Milan, Napoli and Juve can’t just say ‘we aim for a Champions League spot.’ It’s not fair towards the fans. The Champions League is an opportunity, but it is complex. With the new formula, if you don’t finish [the league phase] in the top eight, it gets very tough.”

According to recent reports, the Nerazzurri will have a minimum budget of €40-50m to strengthen the team, a sum that could be increased through some sales.

“I’d like a physically strong central midfielder, like Koné, Rabiot or Khephren Thuram, and a dribbler, like Nico Paz,” Bergomi said.

“It will be hard to sign him from Real Madrid, but that’s the type of player [Inter need].

“Inter have been without Calhanoglu, Dumfries, and Lautaro for many games,” continued the ex-defender.

“Bastoni too. In addition to injuries, he was subjected to unjustified public shaming. He made a mistake, but he took responsibility for it.”

Inter President Marotta has already confirmed Barcelona’s interest in Bastoni. Should the Serie A champions really sell the Italian centre-back?

“It depends on the offers,” concluded Bergomi.

“He has great value; you can’t just sell him off cheaply. I see him doing well in Spain and in the Premier League.”

Manchester United are planning to strengthen their midfield this summer, and several Serie A stars, as well as Italy international Sandro Tonali, have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

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Manchester United’s targets in Serie A

UK media outlets (via Manchester Evening News) are reporting that Manchester United are ready to invest £150m (circa €173m) in new signings this summer, with a specific aim on central midfield.

Italian transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà has claimed that both the Red Devils and Atletico Madrid are interested in Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with the Colchoneros seemingly slightly ahead in the race, having already offered €30m plus add-ons.

Atalanta, however, aim to get at least €40m from the Brazilian’s sale in the summer, so the race to secure his signature remains wide open.

Italy and Newcastle midfielder Tonali has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but other top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester City, are also considering a move for the ex-Milan star.

Last month, Tuttosport reported that even Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners had attracted interest from both the Red Devils and Galatasaray.

Manchester United are also looking for attacking reinforcements with Milan stars Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic both reported to be on their agenda.

United reportedly scouted Leao during a 0-0 draw against Juventus two weeks ago, and Gazzetta reported last week that the Premier League giants are eager to offer Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee or Marcus Rashford in a potential player-plus cash swap deal.

According to Calciomercato.it is understood that Manchester United are also attracted to Pulisic’s versatility, but are aware that Milan won’t sell the USMNT captain for less than €60m.

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is not expected to start for Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Atletico Madrid tonight, as Mikel Arteta ‘could be tempted by the added security of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.’

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Arteta to drop Calafiori for Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid?

Calafiori’s Arsenal host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals at the Emirates Stadium in London tonight.

The first leg played in Madrid last week ended in a 1-1 draw.

Calafiori returned to action after nearly a month last weekend, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Fulham.

The Italian defender is eligible for tonight’s fixture, and even though Standard.co.uk admits the ex-Roma and Bologna defender ‘looked sharp’ in his latest outing, Arteta ‘could be tempted by the added security of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.’

Calafiori has scored one goal and provided three assists in 32 appearances across all competitions with Arsenal this term.

He is in his second season at the Emirates Stadium, where his contract expires in June 2029.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was desperate to see Everton’s second goal ruled out on Monday, even kneeling before referee Michael Oliver, a gesture that earned him his seventh yellow card of the season, the most of any goalkeeper in Europe.

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Italy captain Donnarumma received his seventh yellow card of the season on Monday, during Manchester City’s 3-3 draw against Everton.

As reported by Goal.com, Gigio has received more yellow cards than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top ten leagues.

Donnarumma believed he had been fouled in the build-up to Everton’s second goal, which stemmed from a corner kick routine. However, his protests to the referee did not yield the desired outcome.

The Italian goalkeeper had previously produced a couple of decisive saves and somehow contributed to Manchester City’s late equaliser by rushing inside the Everton box for a late corner kick which led to Jeremy Doku’s goal.

Donnarumma is in his first season at Manchester City, where he has conceded 40 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions and kept 16 clean sheets.

Donnarumma’s ups and downs in Everton 3-3 Man City

Donnarumma literally dropped to his knees begging Michael Oliver not to book him #EVEMCI pic.twitter.com/cgfrC29eYp

— USHIE (@ustonysilva) May 5, 2026

WHA A RIDICULOUS SAVE BY DONNARUMMA TO DENY NDIAYE?pic.twitter.com/yN2MjDnBaK https://t.co/v1gfcd8ATV

— TopCee (@UtdTopCee) May 4, 2026

breh! https://t.co/ulR54sytfH pic.twitter.com/NDCD9M3DwY

— Geronimo Morgans (@GeronimoMorgans) May 4, 2026

MADNESS!!

Jeremy Doku with the EQUALIZER in the 97 minute!!

Everton: 3
Man City: 3
97’ pic.twitter.com/07r87bbwS0

— USA Sports (@usasports) May 4, 2026

Italy legend Fulvio Collovati insists that seeing the Azzurri replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup would be ‘humiliating.’

Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, but there are reports that the Azzurri could still be heading to the tournament to replace Iran, especially after Paolo Zampolli’s recent claims.

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“Some people pushed these ideas more on a political level than a sporting one. Honestly, I never even considered them,” Collovati told Scommesse.io.

Collovati: ‘Humiliating’ to see Italy at World Cup

“It would be humiliating from a sporting perspective. In sport, what matters is the field and the result. You can’t get there through shortcuts. Italy have not qualified for the last three World Cups, and that’s no coincidence. It can happen once, even twice, but the third time means there are serious problems. Before those three missed qualifications, we had been knocked out in the first round twice in a row. It’s a crisis that has lasted for 20 years, since 2006. Before thinking about being admitted to the World Cup, we need to think about reforms.

“You can change all the people you want, but without reforms, nothing will change,” continued the 1982 Italy World Cup winner.

“We need to intervene in youth development, invest in young players, and require clubs to include them in the squads and actually play them in Serie A. Otherwise, we’ll keep standing still in the same place.”

• Read more – Italy’s presence at the 2026 World Cup would be wrong, but not surprising

Inter star Federico Dimarco admits the 2025-26 Serie A title ‘means so much’ after last season’s disappointments and dedicates the Scudetto to ‘those who said I was finished.’

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Inter are celebrating the 21st Scudetto in their history, the second in the last three years.

Dimarco: ‘Special to see Milan coloured in black and blue’

It’s the first Scudetto for Cristian Chivu, who has become the first foreign coach to win the Serie A title since José Mourinho in 2010.

Dimarco has been one of the standout performers this season, having contributed to 25 goals across all competitions.

“It’s an amazing feeling. To see Milan coloured in black and blue is special,” the Italian defender told InterTV via FcInter1908.

“It tastes like a restart after the bad disappointments of last season. We have restarted with the team and staff members. We have worked hard and crowned the dream of the 21st Scudetto.

“We are a united team, and we were united in difficult moments too, when we were being beaten from every direction. We always showed up, and now we enjoy this title. It means so much after what happened last year. I dedicate it to all the people who are close to me, especially those who said I was finished at the end of last season.”

Dimarco was among the Inter stars who headed to Piazza Duomo at late light on Sunday to celebrate with the Inter supporters in the city’s main square.

Inter have won the Scudetto with three games to spare, securing 26 victories in 35 league matches this term.

Last night, they needed just one point to put their hands on the Scudetto, but still secured a 2-0 victory with goals courtesy of Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

• Read more – Live: Inter win 21st Serie A title – reactions, pictures videos

Dimarco et Zanetti sont les premiers à mener la fête de l’Inter sur la Piazza Duomo avec les Tifosi pic.twitter.com/FxHjoRHZSX

— Inter Milan Internazionale.fr (@SoloInter) May 4, 2026