The summer transfer machine is grinding through its gears, and a few major storylines just broke loose across Serie A. Let’s start with the weirdest one.
Inter president Beppe Marotta walked into a press conference on the first day of preseason and dropped the news: Anan Khalaili didn’t pass his medicals. So that deal is dead. The 23-year-old Israeli winger was supposed to be a key piece for Simone Inzaghi’s squad, but the club’s doctors flagged something, and that was that. Now Inter is pivoting hard. According to Gazzetta, they’re turning their attention to Guela Doué, the 23-year-old Strasbourg winger. Different profile, similar role. We’ll see how quickly that moves.
Over in Rome, Paulo Dybala is officially staying put. Roma confirmed he signed an extension through June 2027. No surprises there — the club had been working on it for weeks, and Dybala has been the focal point of the attack since he arrived. But there’s a layer underneath this. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini did a radio hit with Radio Anch’io lo Sport and basically admitted Roma might have to sell someone big if the right offer comes in. He name-dropped Manu Koné as a potential departure. So while Dybala is locked in, don’t assume the roster is settled.
Aston Villa Eyes a Milan Fullback
Milan is sitting in an interesting spot. They’ve got Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez on the roster, but neither has drawn a formal offer yet. That could change. But the more immediate rumor involves a different name: Pervis Estupinan. The Ecuadorian left back joined the Rossoneri from Brighton just a year ago, and now Gazzetta reports that Aston Villa has made an inquiry. That one might have legs, especially if Milan needs to free up funds or roster space for another move.
Meanwhile, new signing Gonçalo Ramos surprised everyone by showing up at Milanello on the first day of preseason. He wasn’t expected until later in the week, but he walked in, greeted teammates, and got to work. Good sign for the fans.
Juventus Plays Hardball with PSG Over Kolo Muani
Juventus GM Giovanni Carnevali was blunt about PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani: “The demands are too high. Either we reach an agreement, or we will turn to a different player.” Direct, no waffling. Juve wants the striker but isn’t going to overpay. On the other end of the spectrum, Carnevali shut down any talk of Inter’s Davide Frattesi coming to Turin. “He is an extraordinary lad who would do well at all big clubs, but we do not need a player of his characteristics.” Translation: nice player, wrong fit.
The more complicated Juve story involves Tarik Muharemovic. Sassuolo wants €40m for the 22-year-old midfielder. Here’s the twist: Juve holds a 50% sell-on clause from when they sold him. So if another club pays €40m, Juve gets €20m without lifting a finger. Leeds is the favorite to land him, with Newcastle, Sunderland, and Bournemouth also sniffing around. But Juve itself has backed off, after both the player and Sassuolo raised their financial demands.
Lazio and Napoli Making Moves
A free transfer is incoming for Lazio. Danilho Doekhi, the Union Berlin center back, has arrived in Rome for medicals. His contract expired June 30, so this is a clean pickup. Lazio also has eyes on Dinamo Zagreb’s Sergi Dominguez, but Gazzetta says they won’t match the €15m asking price. So that one might stall.
Napoli is weighing a sale this summer. Gazzetta reports that if they land Ezequiel Zeballos, either Noa Lang or David Neres will be shown the door. That’s a tricky call — Lang has been inconsistent, Neres has had moments. But Napoli wants to upgrade the attack, and someone has to go to balance the books.
Bologna is looking at Levante striker Carlos Espì, whose release clause sits at €25m. Fiorentina is targeting Ivory Coast international Christ Inao Oulai, a central midfielder at Trabzonspor. They also reached an agreement with Basel to sell Italian midfielder Jonas Harder, per Sky.
Italy international Diego Coppola is flying to Paris today to complete a permanent €20m transfer to Paris FC. He spent the second half of last season on loan there, so this was always the likely endgame.
Harry Winks and Jacopo Fazzini are in Cagliari for medicals. Atalanta is preparing an opening offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Kerim Alajbegovic, who is reportedly open to the move. And Genoa is furious with the agents of Elliot Stroud — the Mjällby winger reportedly had a pre-contract agreement with them before flipping to Hull City at the last minute. Genoa says they’re taking legal action.
Hamed Traorè, the former Sassuolo and Bournemouth midfielder, is scheduled for medicals at Genoa tomorrow. Valentino Lazaro left Torino to join Al-Ain as a free agent. And Bournemouth loaned Alex Jimenez to Fiorentina.
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