Despite being tipped with a surprise return to the Italy national team set-up after almost three years, it appears that Marco Verratti will not be available for the crucial World Cup play-off campaign at the end of the month after all. 

Verratti had been tipped with a return to the Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland coming up on March 26, and recent reports claimed that he was on Gennaro Gattuso’s preliminary squad list.

The 33-year-old last played for the Azzurri during the Nations League finals in the summer of 2023. 

Verratti is currently on the books of Al-Duhail of the Qatar Stars League, but has not featured for his club since January 15 due to recurring injury issues. Those problems are expected to keep him out of action for the play-offs with Italy later this month according to reports from various outlets on Thursday. 

Instead, Gattuso looks set to stick with a first-choice midfield of Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali and Juventus’s Manuel Locatelli at the base. Thursday’s reports suggest that Roma’s Niccolo Pisilli is increasingly likely to be included in the squad now that Verratti has been ruled out. 

When do Italy play next? 

The Azzurri will next be in action against Northern Ireland for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on Thursday, March 26. 

The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on March 31 depending on the result of the other semi-final.

Inter could let go of several long-term first-team servants and are targeting a summer move for Roma midfielder Manu Kone according to Thursday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

The Nerazzurri are sitting seven points clear at the top of the Serie A table with 10 league matches of the season left to go, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there could soon be a transfer ‘revolution’ on the horizon. 

Inter have several senior players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season and are not currently expected to be renewed, including the likes of goalkeeper Yann Sommer, defenders Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi, and a decision is yet to be made on midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. 

The Nerazzurri are also hoping to supply Cristian Chivu with ‘fresh blood’ ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Roma’s Manu Kone was a target in the summer transfer window of 2025, and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter are likely to make another attempt for the Frenchman this coming window.  

Thursday’s report indicates that Inter are also inclined to activate their buy-back option for 20-year-old Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, son of former Nerazzurri star, Dejan. 

Departures can’t be ruled out, and La Gazzetta dello Sport argues that none of Inter’s first team stars are particularly ‘untouchable’ at this stage, aside from perhaps Lautaro Martinez and Pio Esposito. 

Even an Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella or a Marcus Thuram could theoretically be allowed to leave if a particularly enticing offer were to come in. Galatasaray are also reportedly persisting with their interest in Hakan Calhanoglu. 

Yann BIsseck is said to have interest from the Premier League and Denzel Dumfries reportedly has a release clause option in his contract valid this summer. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport maintains that these suggestions are purely hypothetical at this stage. But if a big name or two were to leave this summer, Kone, who is likely to cost in excess of €40m would be the primary target. 

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma found himself in a split-second quandary for Manchester City against Real Madrid, seemingly preferring to give up the goal.

The shot-stopper started tonight’s Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Bernabeu, but was caught out by the opener scored by Federico Valverde.

It was very route one football, as Thibaut Courtois punted a long ball forward, controlled brilliantly by Valverde to go clear on goal.

Donnarumma behaviour explained

As Donnarumma came rushing out to narrow the angle, he seemed to pull his arm away at the last second, so Valverde went around him and managed to steer it into the net from a tricky position.

Former Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart on TNT Sport confirmed the suspicion many had that Donnarumma thought he wasn’t going to get there in time, and that he may well be sliding his way out of the penalty area in the process.

A brilliant assist from Courtois is finished off by Valverde to give Real Madrid the lead against Manchester City @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/hS6f3Pe7Vj

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 11, 2026

That and the fear of giving away a penalty even if it wasn’t a red card, along with the narrowing angle making it a tough finish, prompted the Italian to withdraw his arm and let Valverde through.

It is also not entirely a surprise, considering this was the second assist Courtois has registered in the Champions League this season for Real Madrid.

Thibaut Courtois assist

The Belgian keeper plays a lovely ball out to Fede Valverde who gives Real Madrid the lead pic.twitter.com/EX93BvXlk9

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

Gian Piero Gasperini insists Roma are not prioritising Serie A ahead of the Europa League clash with Bologna, despite an injury crisis in attack. ‘Donyell Malen’s situation is very rare.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

The second leg will be at the Stadio Olimpico next week, as we know only one Italian team will make it to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

It is confirmed that the Giallorossi will be without suspended Gianluca Mancini, plus injured Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, but Mario Hermoso is included in the list.

Gasperini has reduced Roma options

“We’ll see tomorrow, at the moment Hermoso is available and could play, but he’s been out for a while, so we’ll see if it’s from the start or off the bench,” explained Gasperini in his press conference.

“At least one Italian team will get through for sure. It’s true the trend for Italian teams in Europe has not been good this season, even worse if we add in the Nazionale struggles, so evidently it’s not a coincidence.

“We all need to dig deep and explain what the problem is, the coaches, clubs, and probably the media too. It’s not about a tactical issue, there’s something deeper that probably stems from the youth academies and the way teams are built.”

Considering he has won the Europa League with Atalanta, but also that Roma have a Serie A battle with Como this weekend for fourth place, which is the priority for them?

“Every game is important, we cannot make calculations, but take them one at a time trying to give our best in each one,” replied the coach.

“The priority is both competitions, perhaps a few weeks ago we also had the Coppa Italia and therefore saw Serie A as the priority, but we never thought about just letting anything go.

“I don’t see any way of giving less in a match situation. It’s possible we won’t play as well in some games as others, but it won’t be by choice.”

The January signings have made a big impact, most notably striker Malen, who will finally get to play in the Europa League with Roma after he was cup-tied for the league phase due to his time with Aston Villa.

“We are scoring more goals, the trend is positive thanks also to the arrival of Malen, who has made us more dangerous in attack,” confirmed Gasperini.

“We have certainly lost several important players in attack, but Malen has given us something extra. Bryan Zaragoza needs time to adapt, he’s only been here for a month, so the situations like Malen who hit the ground running in a new team are very rare.

“With both Dybala and Soulé out, we have had to rotate players in those support roles. Lorenzo Pellegrini has played there most consistently, but Lorenzo Venturino, Robinio Vaz and Stephan El Shaarawy can all play there.”

Has Gasperini spoken to Pellegrini about his future, with the contract running down?

“No, this is not something we need to discuss now, as it’s a fundamental stage of the season, and we need to focus on the pitch.”

Could Malen and Vaz even start together tomorrow?

“Anything is possible,” smiled the coach.

Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel has been released from hospital, as the surgeon who operated on his shoulder warns ‘this is the equivalent of an anterior cruciate ligament tear for a midfielder.’

The shot-stopper sustained the injury in training and it was identified by an MRI scan as a lesion of the glenohumeral ligament alongside involvement of the glenoid labrum.

He went under the knife and has now been released from hospital, as confirmed by a statement on the official Lazio website.

Recovery process begins for Provedel

Provedel must wear a brace stabilising his movements for at least a month, after which he can begin the rehabilitation treatment.

This is expected to be a long process, with reports it will require four to five months on the sidelines, ending his season early.

“We must not rush this, there are some biological steps that have to be taken, so nature must take its course,” surgeon Giovanni Di Giacomo told the Corriere dello Sport via Tuttomercatoweb after performing the operation.

“Provedel was highly motivated and eager to get back on the field. However, this is a serious injury. For a goalkeeper, a shoulder issue like this is the equivalent of a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the knee for a midfielder.”

Lazio have been forced to use their second choice goalkeeper, Edoardo Motta, who was signed from Reggina in January.

He made his Serie A debut in Monday evening’s 2-1 victory over Sassuolo and only turned 21 in January.

There are strong reports of a significant change behind the scenes for Roma’s business model, but Francesco Totti is only asked to be a brand ambassador without powers.

Over the last few weeks, there have been growing rumours that the club icon could return to the Stadio Olimpico with a directorial role.

Roma not prepared to hand Totti powers

These were boosted when he was spotted back in the stands for some home games, something he had largely tried to avoid after his ill-tempered exit from the club in the summer of 2019.

That was under previous owners, so it was suggested the Friedkin family with help from Claudio Ranieri and coach Gian Piero Gasperini were talking to Totti about a return.

However, Sky Sport Italia now report Roma do want Totti to have a purely ceremonial role as brand ambassador, with no decision-making powers.

This was the kind of thing he had rejected in the past, but might be more amenable towards now.

Meanwhile, there are bigger changes afoot, as Calcio e Finanza claim exclusively that Roma have decided to purchase the Centro Sportivo Fulvio Bernardini training ground in Trigoria, after leasing the land for 20 years.

The structure had originally been sold for €30m in December 2005 as a way of balancing the books.

Roma have named their squad list for the Europa League Round of 16 against Bologna, missing big names like Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, but Mario Hermoso is included.

The first leg kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

The Giallorossi have been dealing with a lengthy injury crisis for some time now, and many of the problems are localised in the attack.

Good and bad news for Roma

This means Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson are long-term absentees, while Soulé has again not been included, as he struggles to recover from an inflammation.

The good news for coach Gian Piero Gasperini is that defender Hermoso completed the training session and is in the squad, though it remains to be seen if he will start.

There is more pressure on the defence, as Gianluca Mancini is suspended for the first leg of this Europa League tie.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Bryan Zaragoza is tipped to start in support of Donyell Malen, while Bryan Cristante can be moved into a more advanced role too.

This leaves Manu Koné and Niccolò Pisilli in midfield, benching Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Vincenzo Italiano admits he would gladly have avoided the all-Italian Europa League duel with Roma, but Bologna ‘hope to tease some weaknesses out of them tomorrow.’

It kicks off on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET) at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

The draw was unkind to the Italian teams, as while it means at least there will be one representative in the quarter-finals, it can only be one of the two sides who entered the tournament.

Bologna had a terrible start to 2026 and seemingly had turned a corner with a run of victories, but faltered again at the weekend with their home defeat to rock bottom Hellas Verona.

Italiano would have avoided Bologna vs. Roma

“We have already put that match behind us,” assured Italiano in his press conference.

“Roma have some weaknesses and we hope to tease those out of them tomorrow. As I said before, I had hoped in a different draw, because we could’ve gone far together in this competition, but instead one of the two Italians must go out.

“We are stuttering in our home games lately, but hope to change that tomorrow.”

The coach gave injury updates, as Juan Miranda and Torbjorn Heggem are back in training, but it remains to be seen if either of them could start.

He did hint that Tommaso Pobega has “a very good chance” of being in the starting XI, though Thijs Dallinga could finally give Santiago Castro some rest ahead of the Serie A showdown with Sassuolo.

“Roma defend well and have now found a striker in Donyell Malen who is doing very well, giving their aggressive style of football an outlet. We know him too, as we already played against his Aston Villa earlier in the season.

“Gian Piero Gasperini has set the example for all coaches, winning important trophies both at team and individual level. He continues to exhibit wonderful football and I have incredible respect for him.”

Will the two coaches go out to dinner together?

“We’d need a restaurant that stayed open late, because we’d have so much to talk about!”

The second leg will be at the Stadio Olimpico next week, where the Rossoblu lost 1-0 in the opening game of the Serie A season back in August.

“I am not thinking about the second leg, because after tomorrow we already have another Serie A match to play, so there’s time for that. Obviously, it won’t be an easy atmosphere for us at the Olimpico, but we know that.

“The trouble with an Italian derby is we know each other so very well. It’s a new experience for me too, facing another Italian side in Europe.”

Bologna’s home record has been the most surprising aspect of their campaign so far, as since the start of December 2025 they have amassed just three victories at the Stadio Dall’Ara, two draws and eight losses in all competition.

“I analysed all those games, and some we deserved to lose, with others we could’ve won with a bit more concentration. The attitude is not the issue, but we are paying a heavy price for some distractions, and have the time to make up for it,” noted Italiano.

“We did win five games after that difficult period, and a situation like Verona can happen, in Serie A anybody can beat anyone else, it’s always a struggle. We have more difficulty against teams who let us take control of the game, leading us to become a bit too superficial in our preventative marking.

“Tomorrow is a big opportunity for us to progress in Europe, but we won’t be able to judge the season until the end.”

Igor Tudor’s handling of Guglielmo Vicario during Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid has given Inter a significant boost, with the Nerazzurri keen on signing the Italian goalkeeper next summer.

Tudor dropped Vicario for Antonín Kinský in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but the 22-year-old’s early mistakes led to Vicario’s introduction after just 17 minutes. 

Inter already opened Vicario talks

According to various sources, Inter have already opened talks with Vicario’s entourage, having identified the ex-Empoli and Cagliari goalkeeper as their main target in goal for 2026-27.

Previous reports claimed that Inter directors would hold further talks with the goalkeeper’s representatives this month.

Vicario is eager to return to Italy in the summer, and Tudor’s management against Atletico Madrid seems to have only reinforced his desire.

According to Gazzetta, in fact, Vicario expected to start the match at the Wanda Metropolitano, believing his status within the team would be respected.

The Pink Paper adds that Juventus and Monaco are also closely following Vicario, and that Inter’s second option to replace Yann Sommer is Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.

Tottenham’s asking price for Vicario is reportedly around €20m, but if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League, then the goalkeeper’s price would be further reduced.

Tottenham are just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League, and their new coach, Igor Tudor, has lost all his first four games in charge.

Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli says the club’s medical staff is assessing Moise Kean ‘day by day’ and hopes the Italian striker will be available for the next crucial Serie A match against Cremonese.

Fiorentina star Kean will miss tomorrow’s Conference League Round of 16 first leg game against Rakow, Vanoli confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Kean to miss Fiorentina vs. Rakow

“We are continuing with a recovery process and evaluating him day by day. The target is to have him in Cremona,” the Viola coach said via TMW.

Kean has sustained a fibula injury, and Fiorentina hope he’ll be back for the next Serie A match away at Cremonese. It’s a crucial fixture for the Tuscans, who are just one point above the Grigiorossi in the relegation zone.

Gudmundsson is expected to be available tomorrow but is not in his best shape.

“Right now, he must regain full fitness after an ankle problem. He misses being decisive, but he still does important things,” Vanoli said.

“I like him more in his new role than as a support striker. He must only find that spark; we know he can be decisive in the final games.

“We are focused on this game. The Conference League is an important trophy that we want to honour and go as far as possible. We find a team that did very well in the league phase. They defend well and have only conceded two goals. We must think that we’ll play across two games, so we have to be smart. We’ll think about Cremonese on Friday.”

Igor Tudor’s most recent win as a coach came on September 13, 2025, when Juventus beat Inter 4-3, and the Croatian tactician has now suffered seven consecutive losses across his spells with the Old Lady and Tottenham.

• Read more – Di Canio: Tudor might ‘pay’ for Vicario-Kinský decision, hints at new Tottenham coach

Safe to say, Tudor has not had a brilliant start to his Tottenham career, having lost all of his opening four games in charge.

Tudor’s depressing results for Juventus and Tottenham

The Croatian tactician was appointed on February 14, barely three months after he departed from Juventus.

The Bianconeri sacked Tudor at the end of October 2025, following three consecutive defeats across all competitions.

The Bianconeri had lost 2-0 to Como, 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League, and 1-0 to Lazio. They had not scored a goal in their last four matches under the 47-year-old and had not won since September 13, when they beat Inter 4-3 at the Allianz Stadium.

To date, that also remains Tudor’s last win as a coach.

Juventus replaced Tudor with Luciano Spalletti, and even though the Bianconeri are still out of the top four in Serie A, they have grabbed 15 wins in 28 matches under the Italian tactician and are just one point below a Champions League spot.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have submitted a written offer to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi as a free agent.

Juventus have reportedly made a formal step forward to sign Senesi as a free agent from Premier League side Bournemouth.

According to Gazzetta, the Serie A giants have sent the Argentine defender an official, written offer.

Juventus send offer for Senesi

Senesi is a long-time target of Juventus director Damien Comolli, and talks between the defender’s entourage and the Serie A giants already began a few weeks ago.

According to the report, Senesi is tempted to join Juventus, but the Bianconeri aren’t the only club interested in securing his signature.

The Argentine is expected to receive more proposals over the next few weeks as his contract with Bournemouth runs out this coming June.

Juventus, however, have already made an initial step forward and hope to be well-positioned in the race for the 28-year-old centre-back.

The Serie A giants have opened talks with other free agents, including Bernardo Silva, Leon Goretzka and Zeki Celik.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Fiorentina star Moise Kean is Massimiliano Allegri’s preferred target to strengthen the Milan attack for the 2026-27 season.

Fiorentina and Italy star striker Kean is Allegri’s primary target in attack for next season, according to Gazzetta.

Allegri already coached Kean at Juventus, giving him his senior debut in November 2016.

Milan already in talks for Kean

Kean has a €62m clause included in his Fiorentina contract. It is only valid in the first two weeks of July, but the Rossoneri have already initiated talks, hoping to lower the Tuscans’ demands.

This past August, Kean signed a contract extension with Fiorentina, raising his clause from €52m to €62m.

According to Gazzetta, Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy is another Milan target for next season, and so is Dusan Vlahovic, although Juventus are confident about reaching an agreement to extend the Serbian striker’s contract, which expires this coming June.

Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are Milan’s best scorers this season with 10 goals each across all competitions.

Ex-Italian coach Fabio Capello says Atalanta were ‘fortunate’ to only concede six goals against Bayern Munich: ‘This is a lesson for Italian football.’

Atalanta, the only Serie A side to have qualified for the Champions League Round of 16, suffered a heavy 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich last night.

Capello: Atalanta’s humiliation ‘a lesson’ for Italian football

“I saw a team that pressed and ran, with everyone showing impressive quality, in vision and possession,” Capello told Sky Sport via TMW.

“Every time Bayern won the ball back, they went straight forward and sprinted into space. With that kind of technique, they clearly put Atalanta in trouble.

“Atalanta were actually fortunate to concede only six goals. It could have been many more, and the goalkeeper made some good saves as well. This is a lesson for Italian football. Atalanta were the only Italian side to qualify for the Round of 16 and had beaten Borussia Dortmund, but they didn’t stand a chance against the top German team.”

• Read more – Player ratings: Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich – Olise teaches La Dea a lesson

Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio says Igor Tudor ‘destroyed’ Antonín Kinský and could ‘pay for that in his career at the highest levels,’ especially because Tottenham’s previous defeats were ‘not Vicario’s fault.’

Tottenham coach Tudor made headlines last night as he dropped Italy international Vicario to give 22-year-old Kinsky his Champions League debut.

Spurs went 3-0 down after just 15 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Kinsky cheaply conceding two goals. As a result, Tudor replaced the Czech goalkeeper with Vicario after only 16 minutes.

Tudor explains Kinsky-Vicario decision

“I’ve been coaching for 15 years and I’ve never done it before. It was necessary to preserve the guy and the team. Before the game, it was the right choice, in a moment like we are, with pressure on Vicario,” Tudor explained at a post-match press conference.

“Antonín is a very good goalkeeper. For me, it was the right decision. After, of course, it’s easy to say it was not right. I spoke to Tony after; he’s a right guy, a good goalkeeper, and unfortunately, these mistakes happen in these games. The start of the game was too much for us.”

Former West Ham, Lazio, Juventus and Milan striker Paolo Di Canio examined Tudor’s decisions during Sky Sport Italia’s post-match show on Tuesday and was quite harsh on the Croatian tactician.

“He’s not entirely wrong, but in this case, he also brought it on himself. I feel sorry for him. Maybe he just lets everything slide off him and doesn’t realise what the tabloids will write. They are ruthless,” Di Canio said via Corriere dello Sport.

“They’ll destroy him, because when you make choices like that, you are hard to understand. I don’t know if there was some issue with Vicario, and there was probably some confrontation in the dressing room, but certainly not because the recent defeats are Vicario’s fault. He’s made a few mistakes, but was a complete shambles of a team in front of him, leaking from every side.

“If you put in such a delicate match, a kid who comes in with 17 appearances for Slavia Prague, and say the player is strong with just six appearances, you asked for it, and you destroyed him,” Di Canio continued.

“I understand that Igor is very tough, and I don’t know if he’ll pay for that in his career at the highest levels. I really don’t think he’ll stay at Tottenham; they’ll go and get an English coach.”

Tudor was sacked by Juventus at the end of October 2025 and replaced by Luciano Spalletti.

He accepted the Tottenham job on February 14, 2026, but has lost all four of his games in charge.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Dea nightmare, too much Bayern

Never in the game, but the fans applaud

Milan, my love

San Siro acclaims him, the team wants a bis, and Luka takes the Ballon d’Or at the Devil’s home. Chasing a No.9: Now Kean tops the list

The goal has disappeared

No Serie A goals: 62 goals less than last season

Trezeguet: ‘I watch Juventus for Yildiz only, I expected more from Vlahovic.’

Dumfries’ cure: back as a starter after 125 days

Corriere dello Sport

Rocchi’s certainties

‘It was a penalty, it wasn’t a penalty.’

Damage for Roma, Milan-Inter correct.

Malinovskyi? The double touch doesn’t justify the lack of a penalty for the Giallorossi. Ricci’s handball was assessed correctly.

Spalletti and Juve, renewal and five coups

Napoli, Conte finds McT again

Lazio, strike blocked for 90 minutes

Too much Bayern for Dea

Kompany’s team dominates: 3-0 after 25 minutes. Goals from Stanisic, Olise (2), Gnabry, Jackson Musiala and Pasalic. Tottenham crushed 52- by Atletico Madrid; Tudor’s disaster. He preferred Kinsky to Vicario, then replaced him at minute 17.

Tuttosport

Bayern’s walk in the park; our Champions League is already over

Dea shock! Europe smashes us

Spalletti’s list

Juve of the future: six reinforcements plus a goalkeeper

Kolo for the attack, Ederson and Goretzka in central midfield, Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder, Celik on the wings, and Senesi in defence: here are the main targets identified by the coach for a step forward, but there are other names too: a high-level alternative between the sticks (Vicario sounded out). Lucio considers Nico Gonzalez’s return from Madrid. Fenerbahce on Openda. Even Gatti can be sacrificed for the finances.

Reds flop, tragicomic Tottenham for Tudor

Zapata’s clause, Toro can terminate the contract.

Hakan Calhanoglu’s future at Inter is uncertain as the Turkish midfielder’s contract expires in June 2027, and the Nerazzurri have not yet begun talks over a new deal.

Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto report the latest transfer updates on Inter, with a focus on their plans in central midfield.

Latest Inter transfer updates: Calhanoglu and more

Turkish star Calhanoglu faces an uncertain future at the Stadio Meazza as his contract formally expires in June 2027 and the Nerazzurri have not yet opened talks over a new deal.

If the situation won’t change in the next two months, then Calhanoglu’s summer exit will be very likely, according to Romano.

Calhanoglu has been struggling with injuries in recent weeks. He was not involved in Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina and will miss the next Serie A match against Atalanta due to an adductor problem.

Inter are expected to make considerable changes in the middle of the park over the summer. Davide Frattesi, for example, has not been given consistent playing time and already received offers during the January window.

On the other hand, Aleksandar Stanković has impressed the Nerazzurri during his time at Club Brugge and the Serie A giants are expected to activate a clause to bring the 20-year-old back to the club.

• Read more – Inter prepare for 2026-27 summer overhaul with just one contract extension offer

Newcastle have reportedly placed a €90m price tag on Sandro Tonali, making a return to Serie A unlikely for the Italian midfielder, though a move to a top Premier League club remains a realistic possibility.

Italian transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports the latest transfer updates on Italy international Tonali.

Tonali: Latest transfer updates

Newcastle consider the ex-Milan star a key player, but the two parties will decide how to proceed over the coming months, also depending on the offers they receive.

According to the report, the asking price is close to €90-100m and if Newcastle won’t lower their demands, Serie A clubs would have almost no chance of signing him.

Moretto confirms Juventus are the most interested club in Tonali, but the asking price is really high for the Old Lady.

At the same time, some Premier League clubs have already moved, including the two Manchester clubs and the “top four” teams in the standings.

Moretto confirms that Tonali has plenty of admirers in England, but it’s still unclear whether any suitor will match Newcastle’s asking price over the summer.

Tonali, 25, is under contract with Newcastle until June 2028.

The Italian star has scored three goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season.

Juventus have also set their sights on Bernardo Silva and Leon Goretzka, both available as free agents at the end of the season.

Six Serie A players, including Adrien Rabiot and Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, have been given a one-game ban, while Inter director Dario Baccin and Milan were fined after the Derby della Madonnina.

The Serie A sports Judge has issued his verdict after Round 28, as SportMediaset reports.

Sports Judge’s decisions after Serie A Week 28

Cremonese defender Giuseppe Pezzella was sent off after the Grigiorossi’s 2-1 loss against Lecce and fined €10,000 “for having, on the field of play and in a vehement manner, criticised the referee’s performance, addressing the match official with disrespectful expressions.”

Five other players were one yellow card away from suspension before the latest Serie A round and were booked over the weekend, resulting in a one-game ban.

The other suspended players for Round 29 are Milan’s Adrien Rabiot, Roma’s Evan Ndicka, Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, Cagliari’s Sebastiano Esposito and Genoa’s Patrizio Masini.

Why were Milan fined after derby vs. Inter?

Milan have received two fines. The first, amounting to €22,000, was imposed because the Rossoneri “unjustifiably” caused a two-minute delay during the second half. The second fine, worth €8,000, concerns insulting chants by Milan supporters directed at Inter players. In addition, a group of Rossoneri supporters also pointed a laser beam at an opposing player at the end of the first half.

Inter director Dario Baccin was also fined €10,000 for having repeatedly criticised a refereeing decision after the match in a “disrespectful and arrogant manner.”