Atalanta
Journalist claims Tottenham have agreed a £43m deal, player to sign contract until 2026
Tottenham Hotspur have finally agreed a deal to sign Cristian Romero, according to Argentinian football journalist Cesar Luis Merlo. What a brilliant signing the 23-year-old will be for Tottenham. €55 million (£47 million) is outstanding value for someone who will surely go on to become one of the very best centre-backs in the game. Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was desperate to bolster his central defensive ranks with Toby Alderweireld leaving the club. Cristian Romero a sensational addition for Tottenham In 31 Serie A outings during a loan spell with Atalanta last season, Romero averaged two tackles, 3.1 interceptions and 2.2 clearances per game. He also won an average of 3.6 aerial duels per match during those appearances. The South American is also very comfortable with the b...
‘The deal can be done’ – Spurs look to beat Atletico in the race for 26-year-old star
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, and they are currently negotiating a deal for Pierluigi Gollini. The 26-year-old started his youth career at Manchester United and played for two seasons at Aston Villa. However, he has made a real impact since moving to Atalanta, and Tottenham are now looking to bring him back to the Premier League. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Spurs are in contact with the keeper, and negotiations are in progress at the moment. The Sky Italia journalist has claimed that all parties are working to find a solution. Spurs are likely to sign him on a two-year loan deal, with an obligation to make the move permanent. Atletico Madrid are also interested in signing the Italy international. However, he would only be the second-choice ke...
2 England, 1 Belgium, 2 Switzerland – Best XI from the round of 16
As the group stages came to a close, the knockout rounds of Euro 2020 begun, and the round of 16 certainly didn’t disappoint. We’ve had everything you could possibly want. Penalty shootouts, giant killings, last gasp winners, eight-goal thrillers, screamers, VAR drama – it’s what we live for as football fans. Here are our picks for the best XI from the round of 16. Jordan Pickford (GK) – England’s goalkeeper position has been the subject of debate for a while now, with many of the fans preferring the likes of Nick Pope and Dean Henderson over the Everton stopper. However, Gareth Southgate stuck with Pickford and has been rewarded for his faith. Against Germany, the 27-year-old was on top of his game, making crucial saves to deny Timo Werner and Kai Havertz at 0-0. Cesar Azpilicueta (R...
Euro 2020 Best XI from Round 2: Dumfries, Gosen and a dream midfield trio
It’s been another exciting round of Euro 2020 action, with several players putting in standout performances for their country. As we approach the last selection of group stage fixtures, it’s all very nicely set up. We should be in for an enthralling finale. Here is our best XI from the second round of Euro 2020 games. Danny Ward (GK) – Wales go into their final group game with Italy in a very good position. With four points from two games, they look almost certain to qualify for the knockouts. And they couldn’t have done it without Danny Ward, who was excellent again in the win over Turkey. His stunning late save from Merih Demiral’s header was vital to keeping his side ahead in the closing stages, as they later got a second. Denzel Dumfries (RB) – The right-back has made a reall...
Manchester United preparing £39 million bid for Atalanta defender
Manchester United are set to bid £39million for Atalanta defender Cristian Romero. Atalanta are reportedly planning to make Romero’s loan from Juventus permanent for £21.5m before cashing in on his services. But according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta will take up an option in the 23-year-old’s loan deal to sign him permanently. The fee is believed to be £21.5m – but some rumours suggest it could be as low as £13.75m. Reports claim the Serie A side will then look to sell Romero for €45m – around £39m – and make a huge profit. And Man United are said to be leading the race for the Argentina international’s signature. Romero has been one of Atalanta’s best players this term, making 31 Serie A appearances to help them finish third and qualify for next season’s Champio...
Barcelona transfer target has chance to shine in relatively easy Euro 2020 group
With the European Championships just days away, we’re having a look at the best players to watch from each nation. Perhaps the least glamorous group of the tournament is Group C. A faltering Netherlands side will be the headline act, while Ukraine, Austria, and North Macedonia will be there to cause an upset. While the superstar power might not quite be there, the group is wide open, with plenty of underdog potential. It should be an interesting watch. Austria – Sasa Kalajdzic Kalajdzic will be Austria’s main source of goals The Austrian squad has a strong Bundesliga contingent, and Sasa Kalajdzic is a part of that. The 23-year-old has just enjoyed the best season of his career, netting 17 in all competitions for a mid-table Stuttgart side. On top of this, he has been in good form on the i...
Lazio confirm Simone Inzaghi’s exit
Lazio released a terse statement confirming Simone Inzaghi ‘changed his mind’ and is heading to Inter. Inzaghi’s contract with the Aquile is due to expire on June 30 and last night he had seemingly agreed to extend it until June 2024. However, Inter came back with a new proposal to practically double the wages on offer and lead the Serie A Champions. It was reported President Claudio Lotito tried and failed to change his mind, even telling Il Messaggero this afternoon that they would announce the new contract later. Lazio finally accepted they had lost Inzaghi and released a terse statement in which they never even said his name. “We respect the change of mind of a coach and, before that, of a player who for many years tied his name to the Lazio family and the many Biancocelesti successes....
Serie A: Juventus v Milan the headline fixture and can Ronaldo get 30+ league goals this season?
Serie A is back in action with another round of fixtures this weekend as four sides battle it out for the remaining three top-four spots. Apart from Inter Milan, who have already won the Serie A title, Atalanta, AC Milan, Napoli and dethroned Juventus are embroiled in a tense top-four race. There are only six points left to play for, while only three currently separate the teams in the Serie A table, with Cristiano Ronaldo and co arguably in the worst position heading into the season finale. Will Inter inflict further damage on Juventus? Inter may not settle for just stealing the Serie A title away from Juventus as they have the opportunity to harm their chances of landing a top-four finish. Andrea Pirlo’s future in Turin is hanging in the balance as the newly-crowned champions arrive at t...
Spurs have reportedly approached 63y/o under-contract Italian boss, he has responded positively
Tottenham Hotspur have enquired about Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini as they continue their search for Jose Mourinho’s permanent replacement, according to The Transfer Window podcast. Ryan Mason has taken charge of the team on an interim basis, and while he is reportedly under consideration for the job, Spurs would ideally prefer someone with experience. While Gasperini does not fit the ‘young and dynamic’ model they are looking for, his recent achievements with Atalanta appear to have caught chairman Daniel Levy’s attention. A leading agent in Europe has informed the 63-year-old of Spurs’ interest, and he has responded positively. Gasperini plays a possession-based football, favouring the 3-4-3 formation and high-octane pressing style, and the lure of managing in the Premier League...
Five defining games in Inter Milan’s title-winning season
It’s been a while since we could say this, but Inter Milan are Serie A champions. After nine successive years of Juventus lifting the trophy, they have finally been toppled by former boss Antonio Conte. It’s been a sensational league campaign for Inter, who have got their hands on their first piece of silverware since 2011. Romelu Lukaku shone up front, while the defence was rock solid. Here are five crucial games in their Serie A triumph. Benevento 2-5 Inter Milan Lukaku’s brace was a sign of things to come Off the back of a dramatic 4-3 opening day victory against Fiorentina, the Nerazzurri continued with another hatful of goals. The visitors quickly raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening half-hour, with Lukaku scoring a brace either side of a Roberto Gagliardini strike. Gianluca Caprari p...
Real Madrid beset by injuries ahead of Atalanta clash
Real Madrid and Atalanta resume their Champions League last-16 tussle on Tuesday following the Spaniards’ 1-0 first-leg win in Bergamo. With a single goal separating the sides ahead of kick-off, the Italian side will fancy their chances of reaching the competition’s quarter-finals for the second season running. After succumbing in both of their previous home matches in the Champions League round of 16, the reigning La Liga title-holders face the prospect of losing three in a row for the first time in the club’s history. Stakes are high for both teams as they prepare to trade tackles at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium. Real Madrid Preview Los Blancos have only failed to progress from one of their last nine Champions League knock-out ties in which they won the first leg away from home. Zinedi...
Another injury blow for Liverpool, Barcelona sweating on key player
The Champions League has reached the knockout stage, and the round of 16 features some exciting UCL fixtures. We’ll update this story with reports, results and the latest Champions League highlights as the second-leg games are played. The action is already underway, with Juventus facing Porto while Borussia Dortmund host Sevilla. Juventus XI: Szczesny, Cuadrado, Bonucci, Demiral, Alex Sandro, Chiesa, Rabiot, Arthur, Ramsey, C Ronaldo, Morata. Porto XI: Marchesín, Manafa, Pepe, Mbemba, Zaidu, Sergio Oliveira, Uribe, Otavio, Corona, Marega, Taremi. Can Juve turn around their #UCL last 16 tie? — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 9, 2021 Dortmund take a 3-2 lead into their #UCL second-leg vs Sevilla… Dortmund XI: Hitz, Morey, Can, Hummels, Schulz, Delaney, Bellingham, Dahoud, Reus, Haza...
