Ausilio speaks, Vicario leads keeper race, Maignan in limbo
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio breaks his silence on Dumfries and hints at a new defensive signing, while Juventus risk losing Sørloth to a bidding war and Vicario moves to the top of their goalkeeper shortlist. Milan remain directionless: Rangnick is stuck with Austria and Maignan is deferring his decision until after the World Cup.
Inter are turning the page. Piero Ausilio, speaking at the Milano Football Week (source: Calciomercato.com), drew a line under the Dumfries saga: «He wanted to go — it was right to let him». The Dutchman is bound for Real Madrid, a move that is all but officially closed. On incoming transfers, Ausilio gave a partial hint at a defensive target without naming him outright, while Udinese's Solet remains the most concrete option. In midfield, Curtis Jones of Liverpool is the summer's potential marquee signing: Calciomercato.com report that Inter are «copying Napoli» by tapping into the same English club connection that brought McTominay to Naples.
Inter's transfer kitty may grow faster than expected. Calciomercato.com estimate a potential €40 million war chest from outgoings involving Frattesi, Asllani and Pavard — three players in the shop window who could fund fresh arrivals. Frattesi remains a target for Roma; Asllani is being assessed by the market; Pavard is not untouchable. Meanwhile Cagliari are plotting a loan move for youngster Berenbruch (source: CagliariToday).
Juventus are already hitting complications. The good news: Spalletti has spoken directly with Alexander Sørloth and personal terms look agreed. The problem: Atlético Madrid would rather open an auction than sell exclusively to Juve, and Premier League clubs have entered the race (source: Calciomercato.com). On goalkeepers, a significant shift — Liverpool's pursuit of Alisson has cooled, which means Tottenham's Vicario is no longer heading to Merseyside. Juventus's sporting director Comolli has moved him to pole position.
Milan are the team with the most questions and the fewest answers. Rangnick remains unavailable — Austria will not release him before the European Championship. Arbeloa has been sounded out but is not generating excitement. Then there is the Maignan situation: the captain, disappointed by Milan's season, has communicated that he will only decide his future after the World Cup ends, leaving the club in an uncomfortable holding pattern (source: Calciomercato.com). The internal atmosphere is not helped by Ariedo Braida — former Milan sporting director and now Ravenna vice-president — publicly taking aim at Zlatan Ibrahimović: «He needs the humility to learn». On top of all this, roughly ten loan players — Bennacer, Camarda, Chukwueze, Zeroli among them — are due back at Milanello in the summer with their futures unresolved.
In Naples, Maurizio Allegri is already thinking ahead. Calciomercato.com report that the coach wants to build the new Napoli identity around Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku — for both players, Conte's departure has been a motivation to stay and prove themselves under fresh management. Defensively, Allegri has identified Mario Gila, Lazio's Spanish centre-back who is keen to move on, as a priority target. Younger profiles like Rios and Kovar remain options to bring down the squad's average age.
World Cup dispatches and managerial notes. Roma winger Wesley has picked up an injury on international duty with Brazil and may not return until October — a blow that compounds the club's situation. At Real Madrid, presidential elections were held today: Florentino Pérez faced a challenge from Riquelme in a vote that was expected to be competitive (source: Calciomercato.com). And from the Lazio camp: Francesco Acerbi's contract expires on June 30th, making him a free agent — Genoa have made enquiries, with Monza and Saudi clubs also monitoring (source: Calciomercato.com).
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