Lunch Break: Napoli make Højlund permanent, Juve push for Kolo Muani
At noon the heartiest course is served by Napoli: Rasmus Højlund has been signed on a permanent deal from Manchester United (ANSA), while Juventus lay out a Kolo Muani–Dibu Martínez double. Around it the menu is full: Atalanta wave goodbye to Palestra heading for Chelsea, Roma close for Ferguson and Malen, and from the Premier League come a piping-hot Mbeumo, Jobe Bellingham and Mandas — all while the World Cup rumbles in the background.
Let's start with the day's main course, served piping hot from the south. Napoli have signed Rasmus Højlund permanently from Manchester United (ANSA): after his loan season, the Danish striker stays in the shadow of Vesuvius for good. It is a heavyweight way to open the day, because it paints a Napoli determined to keep their spine intact and refuse to break up their attack.
A second course in black-and-white sauce, with the flame still to be adjusted. Juventus are pushing on two fronts: up top they insist on Kolo Muani, with Sky Sport reporting «steps forward» and Corriere dello Sport instead cooling the mood («long timelines, PSG are holding firm»). Between the posts the trail to Emiliano «Dibu» Martínez stays very much alive: Sky Sport say the Bianconeri are not letting go of the Aston Villa goalkeeper and are negotiating over the fee.
A Bergamo starter with a London aftertaste. Atalanta are «preparing to wave goodbye to Ederson and Palestra» and are turning their eyes to incomings (Calciomercato): the young full-back is now bound for Chelsea after the hijack told by Sky Sport («Palestra isn't joining Inter but Chelsea»). The Nerazzurri, caught off guard, pivot elsewhere: Virgilio Sport and Corriere della Sera have them pressing for Nico Paz and Andrea Cambiaso so as not to be left empty-handed.
A double serving from Rome and Milan. Roma are laying out their attack: Evan Ferguson taken on an expensive loan from Brighton as Dovbyk's deputy (eurosport.it), Malen added from Aston Villa, and an agreement already struck with Bayern for Bryan Zaragoza (La Gazzetta dello Sport), while Tommaso Baldanzi is heading out to Genoa. On the Milan side the Amorim-era clear-out continues: Gabbia towards Villarreal, Chukwueze to Fulham, Musah to Atalanta and Suso to Sevilla, with Milan meanwhile sounding out Hjulmand and Trincao from Sporting (Corriere della Sera).
To finish, a round of tasters from abroad. From England, Manchester United have wrapped up Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for around 82 million (Goal.com), newly promoted Sunderland have landed Jobe Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, and Bournemouth have secured goalkeeper Mandas on loan from Lazio. In La Liga, Barcelona pull off the Anthony Gordon coup from Newcastle at around 80 million, fending off Bayern's competition (Goal.com). And while the World Cup makes noise — overnight Brazil swept Scotland aside 3-0 — the market doesn't stop, not even at the table. Enjoy your meal.
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