Few ideas but very clear. On the other hand, Frank De Boer knows well that time is what it is, which is why it is not the case to fly too much with the imagination but to give precise guidelines. One above all the permanence of Icardi, at this point carved in stone (unless Napoli blows up the bank with a new, decisive increase). "For me he is a very important player, so he will stay" the Dutchman said during his first press conference as Inter coach. It's still early to get a definitive idea about him (God forbid!), but the feeling is that the harmony with the owners (in particular with Thohir) is much more solid than in the Mancini era.
"Inter is famous for its youth sector so I'll try to launch someone in the first team" he continued in the press room of Appiano Gentile, music to the ears of the Indonesian tycoon, who has always been his great supporter. And then there's the investiture of Gabigol, Santos' Brazilian striker who would be perfect for the new Indo-Chinese Inter, looking for future prospects rather than finished players. “He's a very imaginative and creative player – explained the Dutchman. – He Surely he is in the sights of all the top clubs because he is a very interesting profile ”. It may be a coincidence but yesterday, shortly after the conference with the new Nerazzurri coach, sporting director Ausilio took a further step towards the purchase of the aforementioned striker, even if not yet decisive. The offer of 25 million in fact, thanks also to the mediation of Kia Joorabchian (enemy of Mancini at the time of City for the Tevez dispute), had been accepted by Santos, until Ranieri's Leicester upped the ante by putting 27 on the negotiating table.
At this point however, more than the 2 million difference, the will of the player could be decisive, as well as the long work alongside the Inter director. We'll see, in the meantime, despite De Boer's words, the Icardi case must be carefully monitored. Yes, because beyond the ambiguous tweets of his wife-agent Wanda Nara, there is a Napoli grappling with a real swirl of attackers, which could involve Maurito again. And if Gabbiadini's discontent had already been known for some time ("we would like to stay but if another player were to arrive the situation would change" reiterated his agent Sivlio Pagliari), the novelty is represented by Insigne, whose stay in the shadow of Vesuvius it is no longer so obvious. “De Laurentiis has always praised Lorenzo as the Totti of Naples but we didn't like some of the answers he gave us in the last meeting – his agent Fabio Andreotti said. – Napoli says they don't want to sell him but they offered us a contract that doesn't satisfy us, we have better offers coming from three clubs, all of the richest in Europe”. In short, after Higuain another symbol of the team could leave, with all the consequences of the case.
Pogba's farewell to Juventus was decidedly less traumatic, also because by now his move to Manchester United was Pulcinella's secret. If anything, what is curious is the amount of the collection, well below expectations. Because if it is true that the millions arrived from England are those circulated in recent days (105 plus 5 bonus), it is also true that Raiola's commission was paid by the Lady and not by the Red Devils. "This transaction, net of the solidarity contribution and ancillary charges, generates an economic effect of approximately 72,6 million euros" reads the official Juve website: a good deal, God forbid (the Frenchman had practically reached zero), but less "galactic" than expected. In any case, in Turin they have to turn the page and dive into a midfielder who, albeit with different characteristics (Pogba is not easily found), can replace the former Juventus 10. "Matuidi has a two-year contract, we have never talked about his departure" said Al Khelaifi, president of the PSG, but Marotta still retains some hope because the French agent is precisely that Mino Raiola who has just been filled with money. However, Juventus' first choice seems to be Axel Witsel, even if negotiating with Zenit won't be easy: the Russians have agreed to the transfer but only in exchange for 25 million, a figure deemed too high by the Juventus management.
And then there's Milan, always grappling with a difficult market that is struggling to take off. Yesterday's news lies in a phone call between Berlusconi and Galliani, with the now former owner who would have given the green light to the purchase of a midfielder, provided that the disbursement does not exceed 15 million. The CEO would like to invest about ten in Badelj but Fiorentina are not listening at the moment: we'll see if the pressure from the player, who has now convinced himself to change his shirt, can't favor the negotiation. On the other hand, it is impossible to get to Isco, at least according to the words of his father-agent: "In recent weeks there have been many rumors but we are not interested, we want to renew with Real Madrid". The feeling is that in the absence of an excellent start (one between Bacca and De Sciglio, not both) top-tier players will not arrive at Milanello, not even that Cuadrado much desired by Montella.
Finally, Rome, serene again after embracing Thomas Vermaelen. "I've just arrived but I feel ready to play immediately" explained the Belgian defender, taken from Barcelona on a loan with the right to buy (10 million). Spalletti, given the emergency in defence, will take him at his word and, most likely, will field him as a starter already in the match against Porto on 17 August, the first (and fundamental) crossroads of the Giallorossi season.
