Category: Latest Transfers

Decisive days for Bastoni as end of season approaches

May 8, 2022

Alessandro Bastoni is currently working hard to be fit in time for the Coppa Italia final, but his Inter future is uncertain ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old Italian defender is one of the strongest players in Simone Inzaghi’s squad in Milan and his absence for the last three games has been felt. Bastoni is showing good signs in training though and he’s pushing to return in time for the Coppa Italia final against Juventus on Wednesday next week.

As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Inter will have to carefully manage their finances in the summer and one or two top players could be sold to allow for some investments, with Lautaro Martinez and Bastoni proving the favourites.

Neither player can be considered unsellable as an attractive offer would force the Nerazzurri’s hand, so these are now decisive days for Bastoni. Antonio Conte’s Tottenham have already expressed their interest and they could look to make a serious move for him once the season ends.

Decisive days for Bastoni as end of season approaches

May 8, 2022

Alessandro Bastoni is currently working hard to be fit in time for the Coppa Italia final, but his Inter future is uncertain ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old Italian defender is one of the strongest players in Simone Inzaghi’s squad in Milan and his absence for the last three games has been felt. Bastoni is showing good signs in training though and he’s pushing to return in time for the Coppa Italia final against Juventus on Wednesday next week.

As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Inter will have to carefully manage their finances in the summer and one or two top players could be sold to allow for some investments, with Lautaro Martinez and Bastoni proving the favourites.

Neither player can be considered unsellable as an attractive offer would force the Nerazzurri’s hand, so these are now decisive days for Bastoni. Antonio Conte’s Tottenham have already expressed their interest and they could look to make a serious move for him once the season ends.

Criscito reveals why he turned down Toronto FC

May 8, 2022

Domenico Criscito revealed that he turned down an offer from Toronto FC in the January transfer window in order to help in Genoa’s bid to avoid relegation.

The 35-year-old Italian defender’s contract expires with the Rossoblu next year and MLS side Toronto were keen to pick him up in January, adding an experienced player to their backline. The Canadian side also confirmed Lorenzo Insigne’s move on a free transfer in that period and it was clear that they had their eyes set on Serie A.

Speaking to Il Secolo XIX, Criscito discussed Toronto’s offer and why he turned it down.

“In 2018 I returned after seven years and in the past months I received an offer from Toronto, but it didn’t seem right to leave the team in these conditions. Then various injuries stopped me and I was so sorry not to have been able to help my teammates in so many games.”

The Genoa veteran then commented on the penalty he missed in the key 1-0 derby defeat to Sampdoria.

“It has been a very hard week. That penalty parried by Audero is a mistake I will always carry with me.”

Finally, Criscito commented on his successful penalty in the 2-1 comeback win over Juventus.

I only looked where the ball was, I went to get it to shoot. I just wanted to score, I had nothing else in my head.

What worked this time? I was calmer. And with Samp, the mistake was changing the corner at the last second. I shot badly, but yesterday it went well.

The 35-year-old Criscito may still join Toronto in the summer but there’s no guarantee, so he’ll be praying that Genoa at least avoid suffering relegation following his decision. He has scored six goals and provided one assist in 18 Serie A appearances this season for the Ligurian side.

Genoa

Criscito reveals why he turned down Toronto FC

May 8, 2022

Domenico Criscito revealed that he turned down an offer from Toronto FC in the January transfer window in order to help in Genoa’s bid to avoid relegation.

The 35-year-old Italian defender’s contract expires with the Rossoblu next year and MLS side Toronto were keen to pick him up in January, adding an experienced player to their backline. The Canadian side also confirmed Lorenzo Insigne’s move on a free transfer in that period and it was clear that they had their eyes set on Serie A.

Speaking to Il Secolo XIX, Criscito discussed Toronto’s offer and why he turned it down.

“In 2018 I returned after seven years and in the past months I received an offer from Toronto, but it didn’t seem right to leave the team in these conditions. Then various injuries stopped me and I was so sorry not to have been able to help my teammates in so many games.”

The Genoa veteran then commented on the penalty he missed in the key 1-0 derby defeat to Sampdoria.

“It has been a very hard week. That penalty parried by Audero is a mistake I will always carry with me.”

Finally, Criscito commented on his successful penalty in the 2-1 comeback win over Juventus.

I only looked where the ball was, I went to get it to shoot. I just wanted to score, I had nothing else in my head.

What worked this time? I was calmer. And with Samp, the mistake was changing the corner at the last second. I shot badly, but yesterday it went well.

The 35-year-old Criscito may still join Toronto in the summer but there’s no guarantee, so he’ll be praying that Genoa at least avoid suffering relegation following his decision. He has scored six goals and provided one assist in 18 Serie A appearances this season for the Ligurian side.

Genoa

Hamsik: ‘Insigne and I have a similar story at Napoli’

May 6, 2022

Napoli legend Marek Hamsik sees similarities between his and Lorenzo Insigne’s farewell to the club and confirms he snubbed moves to Juventus, Milan and Inter.

Hamsik left Napoli in February 2019 after becoming the player with the most appearances and goals across all competitions. His contract at the club would have expired in 2020.

“It was a huge love story. I have many friends at the club. I talk to Aurelio De Laurentiis when I can, who has always shown me his affection. I am in touch with Maurizio Micheli, Napoli’s chief scout. I owe him a lot. He is the one who brought me to Italy [at Brescia] for the first time,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport.

Hamsik didn’t have a proper farewell game before leaving the club and sees similarities between his farewell and Lorenzo Insigne’s. The Italy international will join Toronto as a free agent in June.

“Lorenzo’s history is very similar to mine. Everything happened very quickly, the season was ongoing when I left,” said Hamsik.

“However, it’s never too late to meet again, perhaps we could organise a game at the San Paolo [Stadio Maradona now]. If they want me to return with a role at the club after the end of my career, I’d be ready.

“I didn’t forget anything. The Coppa Italia, the Supercups, emotions, memories. A Serie A title would have been deserved, we were really close.”

Massimiliano Allegri wanted to sign Hamsik at Milan and Juventus, while Walter Mazzarri tried to bring him to Inter, but Hamsik never thought about leaving Naples.

“Now I can say that I was proud to attract interest from an important coach such as Allegri,” he said.

“I never talked to him directly, but I know he considered me worthy of playing with him and that he would be pleased [to have me in his teams].”

“Inter? I can’t deny it, but I never thought about leaving Napoli. I could have never done it.”

Hamsik

Jorge Mendes holds key role to Milan transfers

May 6, 2022

Super-agent Jorge Mendes will play a key role in Milan‘s transfers next summer, from the contract extension of Rafael Leao to the potential signings of Renato Sanches and Marco Asensio.

The Rossoneri may have a €300m budget for new signings if Investcorp completes the club’s takeover. Jorge Mendes has been in talks with the Serie A giants for a long time as Milan are willing to extend Rafael Leao’s contract as soon as possible.

Mendes will soon sit down with Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara and the two parties will also discuss other clients on the agenda of the Portuguese agent.

Milan in a hurry to extend with Leao amid PSG and Premier League links

Lille’s Renato Sanches is seen as a potential replacement for Franck Kessié, who has signed with Barcelona ahead of a free move over the summer. Sanches’ teammate Sven Botman will be Milan’s first signing in 2022-23 and Sanches would be happy to follow his teammate in Milan.

His contract expires in 2023 and he is not willing to renew. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mendes has recently clarified that his client wants a salary lower than €6-7m and that joining Milan is his priority.

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio has recently joined Mendes’ clients’ list and Milan are among the suitors of the Spain international. As per Calciomercato.com, Asensio is Milan’s primary target to bolster their attacking options on the right wing. However, the 26-year-old has received an offer to extend with the La Liga giants and has demanded a €7m-a-year contract from Milan, who will only offer €5m per season.

Jorge Mendes holds key to Milan transfers

May 6, 2022

Super-agent Jorge Mendes will play a key role in Milan‘s transfers next summer, from the contract extension of Rafael Leao to the potential signings of Renato Sanches and Marco Asensio.

The Rossoneri may have a €300m budget for new signings if Investcorp completes the club’s takeover. Jorge Mendes has been in talks with the Serie A giants for a long time as Milan are willing to extend Rafael Leao’s contract as soon as possible.

Mendes will soon sit down with Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara and the two parties will also discuss other clients on the agenda of the Portuguese agent.

Milan in a hurry to extend with Leao amid PSG and Premier League links

Lille’s Renato Sanches is seen as a potential replacement for Franck Kessié, who has signed with Barcelona ahead of a free move over the summer. Sanches’ teammate Sven Botman will be Milan’s first signing in 2022-23 and Sanches would be happy to follow his teammate in Milan.

His contract expires in 2023 and he is not willing to renew. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mendes has recently clarified that his client wants a salary lower than €6-7m and that joining Milan is his priority.

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio has recently joined Mendes’ clients’ list and Milan are among the suitors of the Spain international. As per Calciomercato.com, Asensio is Milan’s primary target to bolster their attacking options on the right wing. However, the 26-year-old has received an offer to extend with the La Liga giants and has demanded a €7m-a-year contract from Milan, who will only offer €5m per season.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

May 6, 2022

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

May 6, 2022

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

May 6, 2022

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.