LAZIO`S MARKET FREEZE, FABIANI CLARIFIES. RICCI-MILAN, THE WEEK OF SIGNINGS. NAPOLI, EXCELLING IN SALES. INTER-BONNY, MEDICAL TESTS TUESDAY.
Angelo Fabiani, Lazio`s sporting director, was interviewed and discussed many important topics concerning the Roman club.
Among these was the market block due to non-compliance with the three main aspects of the liquidity and financial sustainability index: `As far as I`m concerned, the market block is an abolished rule. As of May 26th, I was unaware of this constraint and situation, which is why I spoke freely with Sarri. Neither I nor Lotito would ever have dreamed of misleading him. You can criticize the president for anything but saying one thing and doing another. Regarding the famous ‘letter’ we received, a few days passed since the last game against Lecce, especially after speaking with the accountants. The discussions with Sarri were about making some exits and some entries, meaning removing surplus players who aren`t part of the club`s technical project. He never said to send away Tavares, Castellanos, Rovella, etc. The idea was to complete and strengthen a squad that, according to experts, not just Fabiani, entertained and surprised for much of last season.`
Lazio`s sporting director continued on the so-called `100 million hole` that needs addressing: `For me, there are rules that shouldn`t exist. This club, which is a Public Limited Company, cannot risk its existence because it generates profits and provides for many people. Therefore, you cannot overextend yourself. Recently, many famous clubs, without naming names, ended up restarting from Serie C due to reckless policies. This is unacceptable; it would be an humiliation for everyone. I have the responsibility, along with the president, never to expose the club to bankruptcy risk. And that`s what we`re doing. The technicalities of the index, depreciation, labor costs, should be studied thoroughly. But today, you have someone who is 18 years old, is given a microphone, and spreads disinformation. Now, if you allow me, 115 million cannot be thrown away. That money will be used to strengthen the squad over a three-year program. For Sarri, it`s year zero; he arrives this year. We ask nothing of him but his professionalism and skill, which he has always shown wherever he`s been, and we must thank him. Being an intelligent person who understands not just football but also finance, he knows exactly how things stand. I, like the entire club, thank him.`
This week will see the official and real transfer of Samuele Ricci to Milan. In recent hours, the Rossoneri reached an agreement with Torino for the 2001-born Italian national team midfielder. The overall operation is worth 25 million euros (23 million fixed fee, plus another 2 million in bonuses), which will become effective within a few days. Ricci will undergo his medical tests with the Rossoneri club next week, although the exact day has not yet been set (the player is currently on holiday in Uganda, Africa).
Details of Ricci`s contract with Milan. Once the standard medical tests are completed and passed, the midfielder arriving from Torino will sign his new contract with the Diavolo (Milan). The agreement has already been prepared and lasts until June 30, 2029, with an option to extend until 2030. There is a slight salary increase for Ricci himself, who will exceed the 2 million euro net annual wage mark.
Napoli is one of the most active teams in this initial phase of the summer transfer market. Aurelio De Laurentiis`s club has been busy both with incoming transfers, notably the move for Kevin De Bruyne making headlines, and with outgoing players, generating significant funds destined to finance other potential arrivals for the Azzurri in the coming weeks.
Calculations show the Partenopei club has already secured practically 23 million euros from three sales that are practically finalized. These funds come from three deals.
The first is the sale of Brazilian Natan, who impressed Betis. The Spanish club signed him permanently for 9 million euros. Similarly, Cagliari did the same with Elia Caprile, who convinced everyone during his six-month loan spell in Sardinia. The Rossoblu activated the 8 million euro option to keep him from Napoli. Also from Cagliari, 6 million euros are coming for midfielder Gaetano.
The next departure is Rafa Marin, whose move Villarreal is close to making official. In this case, one million will come from the paid loan, and the buy-option fee will be set around 15 million euros.
The date for Ange-Yoan Bonny`s medical tests has also been set. As reported, this was the final piece to finalize his transfer from Parma to Inter. According to reports, the medical will take place on Tuesday, July 1st. The agreement with Parma was reached for 24 million euros plus two million in bonuses.
Atletico Madrid tried to enter the negotiation for Lorenzo Lucca. The Colchoneros inquired about the conditions to reach an agreement with Udinese and bring the forward to the Wanda Metropolitano, but for now, they remain far behind Napoli, who made significant progress in recent days.
A direct meeting between the Azzurri club and Udinese is expected between today and tomorrow to finalize a financial agreement, reportedly around 30 million euros, and close the deal quickly. The intention is to bring Lucca to Dimaro for the start of pre-season training, allowing him to integrate into the new technical project as soon as possible. The push for Lucca is not tied to financial constraints; Napoli is ready to invest in other areas as well, but the former Ajax striker has convinced everyone with his potential and profile. The negotiation will therefore enter its decisive hours.
MANCHESTER UNITED ON BOTAFOGO`S VICTOR. MARSEILLE SECURES RABIOT – André Onana`s future at Manchester United is increasingly uncertain. After two complicated seasons, marked by ups and downs and a difficult relationship with manager Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils seem ready to turn a page between the posts. The club`s management is already working to identify a new number one, and while Emiliano Martinez and Diogo Costa were initially the hottest names, a surprising trail from Brazil has now emerged.
According to reports, United has inquired about John Victor, Botafogo`s 29-year-old goalkeeper, who was a revelation in the recent Club World Cup. The Brazilian was a key figure in the Carioca club`s run, with decisive performances in the win against Paris Saint-Germain and the victory over Spain`s Atlético Madrid, which allowed Botafogo to reach the Round of 16.
His valuation is around 8 million euros, a decidedly accessible figure for Manchester United`s finances, who will need to be mindful of their budget this transfer window. The profile is clear: experience, reliability, and low cost. Characteristics that could make John Victor an ideal candidate to strengthen the Red Devils` goal.
Following a brilliant season that concluded with a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and subsequent return to the Champions League, Olympique Marseille looks to the future with renewed ambitions. The club`s owner, Frank McCourt, gave a lengthy interview in which he outlined the strategy for the summer market: the goal is not to rebuild, but to strengthen the current squad to make it competitive at the highest levels.
At the center of the project are some key names: Leonardo Balerdi, Adrien Rabiot, Mason Greenwood, and Amine Gouiri. `My desire is to keep them,` stated McCourt, emphasizing, however, that operational decisions rest with Pablo Longoria (president) and Mehdi Benatia (sporting director). `My job is to create the best conditions for them to make effective decisions in the short, medium, and long term,` he explained.
The message is clear: OM aims to retain its most representative talents, building a solid and ambitious team around them. McCourt reiterated the desire to consolidate the squad without revolutions, but with targeted additions to raise the group`s quality level. The objective, not too veiled, is to get closer to Paris Saint-Germain and narrow the gap with the champions of France and Europe. Returning to the top European competition is already an excellent starting point.
Valencia continues to build a wall around its most promising talents, firmly rejecting offers coming from across Europe. After saying `no` to Milan for Javi Guerra and Bologna for César Tárrega, this time it was Arsenal`s turn, who were rejected for the young defender Cristhian Mosquera.
According to reports citing sources close to the operation, the Gunners reportedly offered 19 million euros to secure the 2004-born center-back, who is also being closely monitored by Inter. However, Valencia did not even want to start a real negotiation. The club`s desire is to tie down Mosquera with a new contract, convinced of the player`s value and potential.
Furthermore, it appears the offer made by Arsenal was lower than initially leaked, but in any case, the Spanish club`s position remained unequivocal: Mosquera is not for sale, at least for now. Arsenal, aware they could convince the player personally, hoped to reach an understanding with the club, but the firm rejection from Mestalla effectively halted any development from the outset.
