Less than three weeks to the finish line: fasten your seatbelts, the transfer market is entering its prime, and there is still so much to do for Serie A’s heavyweights and beyond.
Suzuki from Parma to Turin, via Paris
These are the decisive hours for a goalkeeper domino effect that is finally coming together: Paris Saint-Germain has come in hard for Zion Suzuki, and the €35 million ($38M) deal including add-ons is virtually sealed.
The Japanese keeper is one step away from PSG… with a view toward Juventus. Yes, because the Bianconeri (who wanted Suzuki long before the European champions stepped in) will be able to decide this week whether to take Suzuki on loan until the end of the season, given that PSG’s goalkeeper spots are currently filled by Matvey Safonov, Lucas Chevalier, and Aaron Longoni.
The ball is in Juve’s court, but Suzuki moving to PSG and immediately heading to Juventus on loan is a scenario that is taking clearer shape by the minute.
Roma Pushing Hard for Rodrigo Mora
Roma is pressing to land Porto’s Rodrigo Mora. The 19-year-old Portuguese starlet has given his green light, allowing Roma to leapfrog Galatasaray as they iron out the details of a package worth over €25 million ($27M) plus a sell-on clause.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes is pushing for the move to Roma. Negotiations are advancing quickly, but it’s a delicate and complex deal. Work remains in progress.
Lukaku Unlocks Napoli’s Summer Strategy
Napoli is working on Romelu Lukaku’s exit. The Belgian striker is officially out of the club’s project and ready to say goodbye: Fenerbahçe is closing in on an agreement with both the player (personal terms are already agreed) and Napoli following an improved bid exceeding €6 million ($6.5M). However, formal steps and final details still need to be cleared.
It’s another intricate situation down to the wire, but Lukaku is keen on the move to Turkey. For Napoli, offloading him would free up room to finalize moves for Chelsea defender Benoît Badiashile—currently the closest defensive target—and Catanzaro’s Costantino Favasuli, two deals Napoli has been working on for weeks.
Up front, the dream of landing Gabriel Jesus remains expensive. The Brazilian would have to take a significant pay cut to make a move to Naples realistic… and Napoli would still need at least one more departure, including Lorenzo Lucca.
Outgoings Stall Market Plans for Milan and Inter
Pending departures are slowing down the transfer plans for several clubs. AC Milan is saying goodbye to Zachary Athekame, who joins Lyon on loan, while working with Porto on an exit strategy for Santiago Giménez. Inter Milan has yet to receive formal offers for Benjamin Pavard (who could ultimately end up staying) and is weighing an improved offer for Tottenham’s Djed Spence following his standout World Cup performances.
One player who won’t be heading to the Nerazzurri is Cristian “Cuti” Romero. The defender is on the verge of joining Atlético Madrid, who are prepared to wrap up a €40 million ($44M) deal provided no final hitches emerge with Spurs.
There’s also no deal for another Serie A dream target: Roma hoped to bring Real Madrid’s Endrick to Italy, but the door is completely shut, as Real Madrid and José Mourinho have decided to keep the young star in Spain.
Keep your eyes open between now and the final deadline: surprises are always around the corner, even with high-profile free agents like Jadon Sancho. Offered to Italian clubs a year ago, Sancho was recently pitched to Fiorentina, though the Viola haven’t shown much interest so far.
Will new scenarios emerge? We’ll find out soon enough.
