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Federico Pastorello reveals that Antonio Conte threatened to leave Inter if they had not signed Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United in 2019 and that Carlo Ancelotti wanted the Belgian striker at Real Madrid in 2023.

Kenan Yildiz remains a topic of hot discussion in Juventus circles, but discussions and negotiations over a new and improved contract extension shouldn’t be allowed to drag on and become a long-term saga, writes Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà. 

Inter owners are reportedly reluctant to extend expiring contracts of Henrik Mkhitaryan, Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij, but even talks over a new deal for Davide Frattesi have been put on hold.

Planning for the new San Siro stadium project in Milan is well underway, and details that have emerged in the press on Thursday claim that the Rossoneri and Inter will look to build a new 37° stand, improve spectator visibility and reduce the distance between the supporters and the playing surface. 

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina feels it will be tough to move Serie A fixtures to allow Italy to prepare for the 2026 World Cup play-offs, but hopes Gennaro Gattuso will be given a chance to organise a get-together in February 2026.

Cremonese director Simone Giacchetta says everyone at the club was ‘fascinated’ by signing Jamie Vardy: ‘We found great humility and knowledge of Cremonese.’

Fabio Capello is excited to watch Nico Paz and Kenan Yildiz in action during Como-Juventus on Sunday, but even if he believes the Bianconeri star has a ‘greater ability to use both feet’, the Argentine seems destined to return to Real Madrid.

Reports in Italy claim that Milan are irritated with the USMNT for their treatment of star forward Christian Pulisic, who now risks missing several weeks of Serie A action after being ‘unnecessarily’ risked for a friendly against Australia on Tuesday night. 

Milan will have to wait slightly longer than first anticipated to learn the full extent of Christian Pulisic’s condition after picking up an injury on international duty with the USMNT earlier this week, as he has reportedly been delayed on his way back over to Italy. 

Football Italia’s transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà discusses recent rumours linking Franck Kessié, Kim Min-jae and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and shares his view on Jonathan David’s situation at Juventus.

Manchester United are reportedly still pursuing a transfer move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Nicolo Zaniolo has apologised to the Roma supporters for his celebration during Atalanta’s 2-0 victory against the Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A last season: ‘It was a reaction after a difficult moment I was going through’. 

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has aimed a sly dig at Alexander Isak as it seems his summer transfer to Liverpool hasn’t worked out so far.

Reports in Italy claim that Barcelona are looking at the possibility of signing Juventus’s Dusan Vlahovic as a potential replacement for the legendary Robert Lewandowski, who could be allowed to leave Camp Nou at the end of his contract this summer. 

Reports on Thursday suggest that FIGC President Gabriele Gravina is keen to postpone the 30th round of Serie A fixtures in order to help Gennaro Gattuso and the Italy national team prepare for their inevitable World Cup qualification play-off matches.