The Tuesday Calcio Wrap-Up #19 🇮🇹⚽️: Victor Osimhen returns to Naples, Milan's topsy-turvy window and Sarri to resign?!
Welcome to this week's wrap-up, where I give my thoughts on all the ups, downs and round and rounds from a weekend of Calcio fun.
We’re still in the off-season but remember: Calcio is permanent. We’ve had all sorts going on over the past week, with some crazy transfer rumours, some good signings and even a potential resignation on the cards (already) at Lazio. Napoli are still pushing for a new striker as well as two wingers and a centre-half, but with a certain someone returning from Turkey and being called to training, their plans may change. Milan are making some moves in the market as well. Away from Serie A, Alberto Gilardino is back in a job filling the gap Pippo Inzaghi left at Pisa. And in managerial news, will Maurizio Sarri be at Lazio at the start of the season? Who knows? All that and more in this week’s Tuesday Calcio Wrap-Up…
Welcome back, Victor Osimhen. It’s time for pre-season…
The fallout between the Nigerian and Napoli has become somewhat of a saga. He’s been playing his trade at Galatasaray for the past season on loan after no one would meet his release clause last summer. And it seems to be the same situation again - where will he end up? His eye-wateringly high demands aren’t exactly giving him many options, especially as he prefers a move to the Premier League. He’s not keen on Saudi Arabia, although they seem the only league with clubs willing to meet both his and Napoli’s demands. Juventus dabbled, but Aurelio De Laurentiis would rather see Osimhen rot in the Primavera than move to a direct rival, it seems. Chelsea were there, but having signed both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, it seems they’re out. Who left for the striker? Arsenal need one, but it seems they’re prioritising Viktor Gyokeres. Manchester United? They’ve already spent big on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirzkee, meaning spending big on another Serie A striker may not be top of their wishlist. Liverpool are in the market for a striker, and whilst Alexander Isak seems their top target, Victor Osimhen may prove a more affordable and realistic option - especially following the money they’ve spent on Florian Wirtz.
What does this mean for Napoli, though? Well, financially - it’s not great. His huge wages are an issue for the club. Even more so given they’ve just hiked Antonio Conte’s wages and signed Kevin De Bruyne. Napoli need to strengthen the squad, too, and are relying on the transfer fees brought in from Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia to give them the warchest needed.
Rumours are circulating and I expect this to be dragged out for the entire summer (again). For now, Victor Osimhen will be called back to training at a club where he’s voiced he no longer wants to be in a city where no fans like him, either. Talk about awkward…
Milan’s market is off to a flyer. Or is it?
Samuele Ricci, here we go. The Torino midfielder is making the switch to Milan as the Rossoneri look to bolster their midfield options as they hope to fight for the top four next season. Alongside Ricci, Milan are bringing in Luka Modric, too. And whilst it seems a bit ‘retirement league’-esque, it’s no doubt a big name that’s got commercial benefits and there’s also an argument for how influential he will be behind the scenes. But with Tijani Reijnders leaving a big hole, more additions are needed to strengthen a somewhat bang average squad. Tammy Abraham, Luka Jovic and João Felix have all left as well.
One of the most interesting pieces of news coming out of the city is the departure of Francesco Camarda. A very highly-rated young star, Camarda, is set to leave on loan to Lecce with an option to buy but a buyback clause for Milan. And whilst it doesn’t seem that big of a deal, it seems a whole load of unnecessary steps rather than just a dry loan for the season. Other clubs have done similar, though (see Real and Nico Paz), but it baffles me to go through it all. For the player, regular Serie A experience will be superb. Nikola Krstovic is set to leave Lecce, leaving a big hole upfront to fill and giving the young Azzurrini a chance to step up to the mark.
What the f*** is happening at Lazio?!
Last week, I wrote an article on what happened to Lazio at the end of last season and the return of Maurizio Sarri. Fast forward to the weekend and reports are circulating that Sarri has expressed his desire to resign. Chaos.
Turns out, Lazio have transfer restrictions until January thanks to some pesky financial regulations. Well, the shifty Claudio Lotito didn’t tell Maurizio Sarri that before he signed. So, given that Sarri expressed concerns on transfer policy and the squad back in 2024, it doesn’t bode well for his future at Lazio, does it? I suspect over the next week or so, more will come out. Lotito’s ‘Welcome home’ attitude to Sarri doesn’t seem so genuine now, does it?