PAPER TALK - Ibrahimovic to Roma? Napoli will buy a striker, Verratti to Inter with Leonardo?
Today’s Italian papers have focussed a lot on the Frank De Boer situation, with many Italian names (Pioli, Guidolin are mentioned, as is the Corriere’s pick, Edy Reja).
One name in particular could make waves with Leonardo being accosted to Inter ever since Frank De Boer got himself into how water, it looks like the former PSG director of sport could find himself in Milan.
We wrote last night that the Brazilian was particularly wanted by Javier Zanetti and Massimo Moratti, likely as a short-term solution on the bench, to then join the club’s administration.
The Gazzetta’s Alessandro Grandesso claims that the Brazilian could be vital in securing two particular gems, namely Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti, the latter not so untouchable after being subbed off against Marseille.
Though it is speculation, the Gazzetta mention the possibility of Zlatan Ibrahimovic moving to Roma, citing the Swede’s love for- and desire to return to - Italy, and the fact that his wife and kids were at the Olimpico on Sunday, and both Ibra Juniors returned home with brand new Giallorossi jerseys!
Tuttosport, for their part, have Axel Witsel still determined to join Juventus, saying that he’s already discreetly let Zenit known that he won’t sign the €7-8m-a-season deal he’s been offered, while Juventus are ready to offer €5-6m in January for the Belgian to bring him over immediately. His deal expires next summer.
Otherwise, Juventus are essentially encouraged by their local paper to go for Marco Verratti, who has played badly of late and was benched against Marseille. Otherwise, Thiago Silva is an option, as his deal expires next summer. Despite saying he wants to finish his career there, the Brazilian is considered “excellent” by Giuseppe Marotta, and could be affected by the recent locker room grumblings we’ve read about.
Otherwise, Iago Falque has been a complete steal on loan for Torino, and could be bought out for a mere 6.5m, though the clause is not binding.
The Gazzetta dello Sport followed our lead in working out what Manolo Gabbiadini could do. The Pink paper claims that Napoli are definitely buying a striker in January, but that main targets Leonardo Pavoletti and Nikola Kalinic are either too expensive (the former) or just hard to get. -
Struggling West Ham man Simone Zaza is another one, the Premier League being of particular interest to us ever since we read about Everton’s interest for Gabbiadini.
Milan are, according to the Corriere dello Sport, in the hunt themselves for two objectives, who won’t come easy: Leonardo Pavoletti of Genoa has a deal which expires in 2019 and has long been a target, but CEO Adriano Galliani has always been warded off by Enrico Preziosi’s demands, his ally demanding a price above the €20 million mark.
