The summary of all the transfer market news of the day that has just been archived. Between rumors, negotiations and behind the scenes, here is the most important news.
GENOA, DECISIVE DAY FOR BALOTELLI BUT THERE ARE ALSO OTHER PROFILES. JUVENTUS, ZIRKZEE AND TWO ATTACKERS IN THE SIGHTS. ITALIAN DERBY WITH INTER FOR DAVID. ROME, ANTONELLO IN POLICE FOR THE ROLE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
Decisive day for Mario Balotelli’s arrival at Genoa. The latest injury to Ekuban has further convinced the club of the need to sign a new striker and today, in a meeting involving management and coach, the final green light for the hiring of SuperMario could arrive. The choice fell on Balotelli, but the rossoblù club – underlines the newspaper ‘Il Secolo XIX’ – has also explored other attackers in recent days. An attempt has been made for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, the Cameroonian center forward who was released last July after his contract with Bayern Munich expired. No tight negotiations because the economic request was too high, with the player asking for around two million euros net to embrace the rossoblù cause. Another player investigated was Adam Ounas, a former Napoli player who was one step away from an agreement with Olympiacos in September. On Mario Balotelli’s arrival at Genoa, this is what former coach Cesare Prandelli spoke to ‘TuttoMercatoWeb.com’ two days ago: “I’m happy because if he accepts a challenge like this it means he’s prepared. I think can still give us something important, we all hope so and especially the Gila I love. I send him a big hug.”
At Juventus, the issue linked to deputy Dusan Vlahovic remains extremely topical. Currently in the squad, thanks to Arek Milik’s difficulties in his rehabilitation process, Thiago Motta does not have a real replacement for the Serbian center forward: the former Napoli and OM player played his last official match last June with his national team, since then the meniscus problem and the double operation from which he has not yet recovered. According to Tuttosport, the Bianconeri are carefully following the Pole’s path, trying to understand when he will be available again. If, as it seems, his return will take place by the end of 2024 and therefore before the start of the transfer market, he should be Vlahovic’s deputy. Otherwise, if the knee continues to cause problems, director Cristiano Giuntoli will be forced to intervene on the transfer market. In this sense, there are many welcome profiles, both in Italy and abroad: remaining in Serie A, with a profile ready for use, one of the names is that of Lorenzo Lucca of Udinese. However, also pay attention to Joshua Zirkzee, a striker who Motta knows well and who flew to Manchester United in the summer where, however, until now he is struggling to establish himself. Then Arnaud Kalimuendo, a center forward born in 2002 who is doing well at Rennes.
Jonathan David’s exploits at the start of the season have not gone unnoticed in the eyes of the big European and especially Italian teams. Lille surprised in these first three Champions League matches, going on to win against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid thanks to the prowess of their centre-forward, scorer of 10 goals in his first 15 outings of the season. In Italy, writes Tuttosport, a derby could break out between Inter and Juventus for him in view of next summer, when his contract with the French club will naturally end. Both clubs have always shown themselves to be attentive to zero parameters and both Giuntoli and Marotta have started to explore his profile, aware that his arrival would in any case occupy a slot for non-EU citizens. Regardless of what will be the fate of Vlahovic on the one hand and Lautaro on the other, Juventus and Inter have every intention of trying for next summer, with the hope that Barcelona or other top European clubs will not put money or more ambitious technical projects. The Bianconeri, for their part, are also using the wild card Timothy Weah: the American played at Lille with David and in past interviews he had confided how the born in 2000 was one of his closest friends in the world of football. And precisely in light of this, the player is working alongside him to convince him to say yes to Juventus.
Alessandro Antonello increasingly closer to moving from Inter to Roma. After Lina Souloukou’s step back, the Friedkin family is looking for a new CEO for the Giallorossi club and has identified the current Nerazzurri CEO as the right figure to fill that role. According to the ‘Corriere dello Sport’ on newsstands today, yesterday Antonello landed in the city on a flight from Switzerland, where the Friedkins had
established one of their operations centers. Antonello was not at the stadium to watch the match against Dinamo Kiev, but contacts are progressing fruitfully and the announcement could come soon. In recent days, the Friedkins have also indirectly probed Giovanni Carnevali, CEO of Sassuolo. The name of Claudio Fenucci has been mentioned, Saputo’s right-hand man in Bologna with a past at Roma in the Pallotta era. But in recent days Antonello has been identified as the right man to succeed Lina Souloukou, who left the scene a month ago after the De Rossi case. Thus last September 22nd Roma announced the divorce from Lina Souloukou: “AS Roma announces that the CEO Lina Souloukou has resigned. We thank Lina for her dedication in a particularly critical phase for the Club and we wish her the best for his future professional challenges. The ownership remains fully focused on the growth and success of Roma, with constant attention to the values that make our team so special.”
REAL MADRID, HAALAND’S CLAMOROUS IDEA, LAPORTE’S POSSIBILITY REMAINS. SAUDI ARABIA, AFTER MANCINI THERE MAY BE THE RETURN OF RENARD.
The world of football risks another shock in the summer due to an important transfer. According to what was reported by Sky Sports, Erling Haaland could leave Manchester City and is attracted by the possibility of joining Real Madrid, a team where Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Bellingham and many other champions play. It would be a formation comparable to that of the Galacticos, with many stars. The parties are both interested in this solution and the English have already identified the Norwegian’s replacement, namely Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP. Haaland’s situation is quite simple: he has a contract expiring in 2027, but he has a 150 million euro clause, which sets the price of the former Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund player. At the moment they are just rumors, but there could be some news in the coming weeks. The Merengues with Florentino Perez are used to often moving under the radar and between now and summer 2025 they will try to convince Haaland to accept the Blancos’ offer. Also to be understood is the future of Pep Guardiola, who could convince the attacker to stay if he were to continue at the Etihad. Otherwise, however, his farewell could also favor that of the center forward. However, everything is still evolving, but Real Madrid is serious.
Real Madrid insists on Aymeric Laporte. According to As reported, David Alaba’s physical condition does not leave Los Blancos very calm, which is why the central defender has become more than a target. The club’s policy is not to make major investments in January unless there is a clear opportunity. The Spaniard was bought by Al Nassr from City for 28 million euros, but now wants to leave Saudi Arabia. The problem is the salary of 25 million per season that Florentino Perez will try to negotiate to complete the operation. Ancelotti has given his approval to the transfer, but is also monitoring other profiles. Josh Acheampong of Chelsea and Vitor Reis of Palmeiras have a bright future, but there are problems in signing them: for the latter, with a contract until 2028, they are asking for around 100 million euros. Also not to be forgotten is Valentin Gomez of Velez Sarsfield, whose cost is around 10 million euros. Laporte has a truly enviable list of achievements. The central defender boasts a European Championship, a Nations League, a Champions League, 6 Premier League titles, a European Super Cup, 2 FA Cups, 4 Carabao Cups, a Spanish Super Cup, 2 Community Shields and an Arab Champions Cup for clubs.
Having sacked Roberto Mancini, the Saudi Arabian football federation is negotiating with Hervé Renard for the return of the French coach to the bench of the green and white national team. A source close to the federation made this known to AFP. “The news will be announced in the next few days after having concluded the contractual procedures definitively and officially,” the source said. Renard led the Saudis to a shock victory over reigning champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, but then left the role in March last year to take charge of the French women’s national team. He resigned from this position in August, after France was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics by Brazil.