The transfer market never stops, not even during the World Cup. Negotiations keep moving, new ideas emerge, and clubs are doing everything they can to get ahead of the competition. On the field, it’s all about the World Cup, but off it, the transfer market is buzzing.
Palestra is heading to Chelsea
The big story of the last few hours has been Marco Palestra. The fullback is ultimately heading to Chelsea, with an agreement reached with Atalanta. It turned into a real transfer saga: Inter were ready to close the deal and had already met with his agent. But Chelsea stepped in and offered more, both to the player and to Atalanta, who will receive €55 million plus bonuses, potentially exceeding €60 million in total. Xabi Alonso has already spoken with the player to discuss how he plans to use him tactically at Chelsea.
The Real Madrid factor: Nico Paz and Como
Also worth watching is a move playing out through Madrid. Real Madrid will meet with Como on Thursday to make a decision on Nico Paz, after weeks of back and forth.
Real would like to activate their €9 million buyback and resell him, giving Como first priority, but the Italian club had expected to keep the current arrangement in place, and that’s where things have stalled.
Inter are watching, and could now make an even more determined push after missing out on Palestra, but today it’s still entirely in Como’s hands… and Real Madrid’s.
The idea of Inter pursuing both Curtis Jones and Paz at the same time is a fantasy. It’s one or the other, at best. The Jones deal has cooled: Liverpool aren’t budging even at the €25 million Inter verbally put on the table, starting at €30 million and working toward €40 million with bonuses and a sell-on clause. It’s an uphill battle as things stand, but it’s not dead yet.
Real Madrid’s financial balancing act
Selling is critical for Real Madrid right now. The spending has already happened, and now they need to raise funds to deliver new signings for Mourinho, including a midfielder. That’s why Real are also preparing to part ways with Dani Ceballos, in this case on a free transfer.
Ceballos has been shopped around in Italy too, but no club has shown real interest following Fiorentina’s exploratory conversations a year ago.
From Italy, meanwhile, Real will pocket 50% of the Mario Gila fee from Lazio, the result of a very high sell-on clause baked into the original deal years ago.
Napoli are close: a full agreement has been reached on a five-year contract with Gila, and talks are progressing between the clubs with Lazio seeking over €15 million, with the possibility of a player being included as part of the deal. Negotiations are ongoing, and Napoli will soon also have Max Allegri officially installed as their new head coach.
Managers: Maresca, De Zerbi, and Mancini
Keep an eye on the managerial front too. Enzo Maresca will sign with Manchester City this week through June 2029, following an agreement that’s been in place for some time. A massive compensation package of over £10 million will be paid to Chelsea, and Pep Guardiola’s successor at the Etihad will be Italian.
Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi is pushing hard to bring Sandro Tonali to Tottenham, despite competition from Manchester City themselves. And another Roberto — Mancini — is waiting on a decision from the FIGC over the Italy head coach role, with Antonio Conte also in the running. It’s now entirely in Giovanni Malagò’s hands. Because Italian soccer has no intention of missing another World Cup — like the one currently being played across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
