In its own way, it is a market coup. Luciano Spalletti and Inter have renewed their relationship until 2021. The previous contract would have expired at the end of the season, but Suning wanted to wipe out any doubts by extending with the Tuscan coach. “I thank the Zhang family and the club for giving me the opportunity to sign this extension – commented the Nerazzurri coach -. I want to underline that this signing is only the bureaucratic part of something that already existed anyway, because the will to continue fighting together for the good of this very important club has never been in question". Spalletti's contract – said Steven Zhang – and to continue together the journey we started with the aim of building one of the strongest teams on the world football scene”.
To celebrate the renewal with Spalletti, a last minute market hit would be needed, the classic icing on the cake to close with a bang. The name is always the same, that of Luka Modric. There is little hope, but at Inter some still believe in it. After all, Modric hasn't changed his mind, he wants to leave Real Madrid and wear the Nerazzurri in his new football life. As reported by 'Corriere della Sera', there was a new contact between Inter and the Croatian at the beginning of the week, before his departure with Real for Estonia, venue for the European Super Cup final against Atletico Madrid . Upon his return to Spain, Modric will make a last attempt with Florentino Perez, who last week had already blocked the sale by saying that he would only leave against the payment of the 750 million clause.
Confirmations also come from Spain, after that in recent days everyone gave the negotiation for nuanced. According to 'As', the player would like a change of scenery after his many successes, and above all following the departures of Zidane and Ronaldo.
Milan also wants to finish with a bang, which after making Bakayoko official from Chelsea (the Frenchman has already made himself available to Gattuso), has practically closed for Samu Castillejo, Villarreal's Spanish winger. The negotiation with the Valencian club is now in the finishing straight, so much so that the 23-year-old who grew up in Malaga could arrive in Milan in the next few hours.
"El Fideo", as Castillejo is nicknamed due to his slender physique, will arrive on loan with an obligation to buy for a total of around 18 million euros, and will become an important alternative to Suso and Calhanoglu for the attack, being able to play on both bands. Castillejo will arrive with the formula of the loan and the obligation to buy for a figure of 18 million, to be added to the 7 of the price tag of Carlos Bacca, who will move permanently to Villarreal. For Milan there was also the good news of having got rid of the important salary of the Colombian, who received 4 million net per season.
With the talent arriving from La Liga, the Milan market can almost certainly be considered closed, it being understood that Leonardo and Maldini will remain vigilant in the last hours of the market and ready to take any last-minute shots. Milinkovic-Savic? Hopes haven't completely faded, but Lotito only wants cash and values his precious player between 100 and 120 million. With Juventus now out of sight and with the Premier League market already closed, only Real Madrid could attempt a last minute shot.
Cold shower for Juventus. Marcelo's closing words came from Tallinn, who a few weeks ago seemed to have opened up the possibility of his transfer to Juventus: "I'm here to talk about the final - he cut short - and in any case I have a contract with Real until 2022 ”.
Roma have signed N'Zonzi from Sevilla. The Frenchman has already arrived in the capital for medical visits and to sign the contract. Sporting director Monchi reached an agreement with the Andalusian club by bridging the distance between the request (35 million) and the offer, which reached 30 million plus bonuses. Di Francesco will thus have the midfielder he wanted, an expert player with the muscles needed to strengthen the Giallorossi midfield. For the success of the operation, the role of Monchi was fundamental, as he was able to take advantage of the preferential channel with the club that he helped bring to the highest levels. The player has reached an agreement with Roma on the basis of a 4-year contract worth 3 million a season plus bonuses, almost double what he earned in Sevilla.
In Naples, the square is in turmoil: Inglese has been sold to Parma, but despite the expectations of the fans, De Laurentiis does not seem willing to replace him, closing the market with the arrival of goalkeeper Ochoa. Not quite the blow that Neapolitan fans expected with an important name like Carlo Ancelotti on the bench. The relationship with the president is destined to experience another turbulent phase.
Following the tragedy in Genoa with the collapsed bridge on the A10 motorway, all the football clubs have expressed their solidarity with the Ligurian capital, and a minute's silence has been arranged on all fields. Furthermore, Genoa and Samp are considering asking for the postponement of their matches on the first day of the championship, respectively at San Siro against Milan and at Marassi against Fiorentina.
