The problem is not only the defeat against Norway, but the way it came about. A 3-0 that hurts, very badly, and that risks blowing the bank. Gabriele Gravina, president of the FIGC, had a restless night: more than the defeat itself, what worried him was the total collapse seen on the field, a worrying blackout that puts to I'm at risk of qualifying for the World Cup. And in the end he decided to relieve Luciano Spalletti of his duties.
Gravina fires Spalletti who will be on the bench only against Moldova: Pioli and Ranieri the alternatives
At Coverciano, the accounts begin immediately. And the president of the FIGC closed the game prematurely by firing Spalletti, who will be on the bench for the last time tomorrow: "I didn't want to but I was relieved of my duties". He no longer had the team in his hands. It's not the first time that something has broken in the Azzurri's path. Even after the European Championships, everything seemed lost, but then Gravina had believed and he was right: victory with France, good progress in the Nations League, glimmers of hope. Today, however, the atmosphere is different, doubts have multiplied, time is running out and Italy is once again up to its neck in water. The Italians, rightly worried about the risk of missing out on their third consecutive World Cup, are calling for an immediate shock. Strong, clear, definitive. And what if the earthquake also involves the president? It's hard to say now. First, we need to try to save what can be saved. And Spalletti is no longer considered the right man to try to grab the World Cup by the tail. And in the meantime, the names of possible successors are already starting to circulate. The hottest is Stefano Pioli, even if he is close to the Fiorentina bench. Then there is the romantic suggestion: Claudio Ranieri. He is linked to Roma, yes, but the call of the national team could make him falter. The match with Moldova will be the watershed. Because we just can't afford another World Cup as spectators.
Inter, Chivu wants a signing for each department: Hojlund and Leoni the objectives, Paz the dream
Marotta and Ausilio, waiting to make Chivu official, have clear ideas about what is needed to raise the bar. So an ambitious plan is taking shape with three quality signings, young players with the right numbers to make their mark right away: Rasmus Hojlund for the attack, Nico Paz in midfield, Giovanni Leoni in defense. The Danish player from Manchester United is very popular: young, explosive, already experienced in Serie A and with an affordable salary. Jonathan David has been evaluated, but now Hojlund is the name in pole position. Ausilio has been working on it for weeks, and the player has already made it known that he likes the destination Milan. There is no financial agreement yet, but Inter is thinking of the loan with right of redemption formula, which could also convince United. Don't forget, however, that there will be two signings in attack: the other name is Bonny, a talent trained by Chivu in Parma and one to keep an eye on carefully. The midfield remains a puzzle, closely tied to the future of Davide Frattesi. If the Italian were to leave, Inter would go straight for another midfielder. The dream is called Nico Paz, Real Madrid's little gem: he won't be at the Club World Cup, a sign that leaves a glimmer of hope open. The Spaniards want to think about it, but Ausilio remains vigilant and this time the ending could smile on the Nerazzurri. In defense? The focus is on Giovanni Leoni, already trained by Chivu in Parma and followed for some time by Ausilio, who would have liked to bring him to Milan when he was at Samp. Now the conditions have changed, Inter has more financial margin and wants to rejuvenate the department. Also because Acerbi's future is yet to be written: the contract is there, but the low salary expected for next year (thanks to a clause) requires some reflection. And without Inzaghi, his great sponsor, who knows, maybe his permanence will also be called into question… In the meantime, Luis Henrique has become official, a winger recently purchased from Marseille (contract until 2030) and already available for the Club World Cup.
Juve changes skin: David first target for the attack, Leoni and Comuzzo for the defense
The Bianconeri's offensive department, coming off a season with more shadows than goals, is ready to change skin. Dusan Vlahovic is in the balance, Milik is saying goodbye, and so Tudor's new Juventus wants to (re)start with new, hungry and above all... prolific attackers. First clue: Randal Kolo Muani. The French attacker will be available for the Club World Cup, but PSG has opened up to the possibility of renewing the loan for another season, and the feeling between the player, Comolli and the coach makes everything much simpler. The hottest name, however, is Jonathan David, on whom Juventus had already set their sights with Giuntoli as director. Offer ready: four-year contract worth 6 million per season plus 2 in bonuses. The Canadian is also liked by Napoli, Inter and several foreign clubs, but Juve know that it is worth insisting for someone like him. It would be a top move for Igor Tudor, who wants a dynamic, fast, concrete attack, most likely without Vlahovic. The Serbian, whose contract expires in 2026, will earn 12 million net per season from July 99st. He has never wanted to discuss a lower renewal, and Juve has no intention of keeping such an expensive striker in the squad without any guarantees of performance. They need a club willing to invest, and in the meantime in Turin they are preparing to make room for him. From the attack to the defence, there are changes at the back too. After the redemption of Pierre Kalulu from Milan and the return to the group of Bremer, ready for the Club World Cup, Juve are working on another move to secure the defence of the future: Leonardo Balerdi, leader and captain of De Zerbi's Marseille. The Argentine born in 'XNUMX is an old acquaintance of Igor Tudor, who trained him at OM and holds him in high esteem. Relations with the French are excellent: Benatia is the sporting director, Longoria is a former Juventus player, and there is no shortage of support. The problem? OM does not want to let him go easily, but as we know, in the transfer market everything can change in an instant. Comolli is also looking with interest at the talent made in Italy. The hot names are Giovanni Leoni of Parma (also liked by Inter) and Pietro Comuzzo of Fiorentina, both on the radar of several big clubs and protagonists of exponential growth. The Miguel Gutierrez of Girona trail is also still alive: the Spanish full-back is a profile that is liked for his drive and continuity, and he is holding up on the list even now that the Juventus transfer market is getting into full swing.
Milan: assault on Maignan and Leao, Tare thinks about Kim, Xhaka, Rabiot and Vlahovic
The big European clubs continue to shop at Casa Milan, and this time they seem determined to take away more than one jewel. If the Reijnders-Manchester City operation is now in the final details (medical visits scheduled for today, 55 million plus 15 in bonuses), the Rossoneri club must prepare to face other attacks that could profoundly change the face of the team. Let's start with Mike Maignan, who now looks to the future with London eyes. The French goalkeeper, protagonist of a tug of war with the management for the renewal (promised, outlined, then disappeared into thin air), seems increasingly convinced to say goodbye to Milanello. Chelsea has come forward decisively, even if the first offer of 20 million has been sent back to the sender. Milan is asking for at least 30, but the feeling is that the parties are destined to get closer very soon. Also because Maignan has already decided: he wants a change of scenery. It doesn't end here. Also on the list of suitors are Theo Hernandez (who is liked by both Al Hilal and Atletico Madrid) and above all Rafael Leao. The Portuguese is Bayern Munich's number one temptation, who seem ready to put 75 million on the table plus a heavy counterpart: one of Kim, Coman or Goretzka. A mind-blowing offer, which could shake even the most resistant Rossoneri plans. The 175 million clause included in the contract (expiring in 2028) remains there, but it is rumored that faced with a global offer between 120 and 130 million, the management could even start talking about it seriously. And in the meantime they are already looking ahead, because if someone leaves, someone will have to arrive. In attack, the names of Mateo Retegui, Dusan Vlahovic and Santiago Gimenez are circulating, who could remain the offensive linchpin of the new Milan. But the real puzzle concerns the midfield, where Reijnders' departure leaves a huge void. After the Modric deal, Milan wants to add experience and quality: in their sights is Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen, with a contract until 2028 and a relatively affordable salary (between 2 and 2,5 million per season). The price tag? 15-20 million, negotiable. Not just Xhaka. The shopping list also includes Adrien Rabiot, with the usual question mark over his salary, as well as Samuele Ricci and Nicolò Rovella, who represent young alternatives but already ready for the leap.
Napoli, Osimhen towards Inzaghi's Al Hilal: offers ready for Ndoye, Beukema and Chalobah
Napoli is ready to turbocharge the market. The imminent departure of Victor Osimhen, now one step away from Al-Hilal for a figure close to 70-75 million euros, is destined to shake up the entire summer plan of the Azzurri. Fresh money that the new sporting director Giovanni Manna intends to reinvest immediately to please the commander on the bench, Antonio Conte, and build a team that lives up to his ambitions. The first names on the notebook are already known and all made in Serie A: Ndoye, Beukema and Chalobah. A striker and two defenders to provide solidity at the back and unpredictability up front, just as Conte wants. Let's start with Ndoye, a jewel of Bologna that Conte had already indicated in January to fill the void left by Kvaratskhelia, destined for PSG. The Salento coach considers him perfect for his 3-4-3: fast, tactically disciplined and with enormous room for growth. Bologna, however, does not intend to give discounts: they want at least 40 million. A meeting is scheduled for next week between the player's entourage and the head of the rossoblù technical area, Giovanni Sartori, to discuss the future and details. Napoli is ready to take to the field with determination. Sam Beukema chapter: same club, same pressure. The Dutch centre-back is one of Manna's obsessions and has already hinted that he is ready to make the big leap. "If the right train comes along, I could get on it," he told ESPN. A phrase that sounds very much like an opening. The Azzurri are ready to put 25 million on the table, but the negotiation will not be easy: Bologna (and, above all, Vincenzo Italiano), consider Beukema central to the project. Finally, the spotlight is also on Chelsea's Chalobah, a name that is popular for his versatility and who would represent a valid alternative of substance for the defence.
Rome, the Friedkins welcome Gasperini: "He's the right coach"
Roma is enjoying Gasperini. A choice that smacks of a turning point, vision, ambition. The former Atalanta coach brings experience, character and a well-defined playing philosophy, made of pressing, intensity and valorization of young players. In short, everything that Trigoria was looking for to start a new cycle. The American ownership has no doubts: Gasperini is the right man for the present, but above all for the future. “He is the leader who will guide us towards an exciting and winning future,” reads the official message from the Friedkin family, who also wanted to underline the internal continuity represented by Claudio Ranieri, who will remain as a manager and senior advisor to the ownership. A bridge between past and future, experience, passion and planning. And speaking of the future, the ownership letter did not stop at the bench. The great off-field project also returned to the center: the new Roma stadium. “Our commitment has never been stronger,” the Friedkins wrote, “we want to give Roma a real home, worthy of our fans. A legacy for future generations. A new Colosseum, majestic and modern, that we promise to build for this Eternal City.”
