Paper Talk: Balotelli recalled by Liverpool, Inter go on summer shopping spree, Red Devils looking at Acquah
Mario Balotelli has been recalled by Liverpool and has been summoned to attend their pre-season training camp which commences on July 2. Corriere dello Sport states that the Italian striker, despite his future in all probability being away from the Premier League club, is expected to join up with the rest of the squad who are not taking part in Euro 2016.
The 25-year-old has had another woeful season on-loan at Milan and a proposed summer move back to the San Siro has now been completely extinguished. The journal also claims that Serie A new boys Cagliari may be prepared to offer “Super Mario” a lifeline next season although the Sardinian club also have their eye firmly set on 38-year-old former Udinese frontman Antonio Di Natale.
OTHER HEADLINES:
Inter are lining up a four pronged assault for Antonio Candreva, Salvatore Sirigu, Francesco Acerbi and Lorenzo De Silvestri (Tuttosport). With the club now in the hands of the Suning Group, their much needed investment means the nerazzurri will go on a extensive summer shopping spree.
Inter striker Mauro Icardi is not looking for a summer move (Tuttosport). The Argentine striker has been linked with several Premier League clubs including West Ham United and Arsenal but the 23-year-old has pledged his immediate future to the nerazzurri.
Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic will join Juventus for €30 million (Gazzetta dello Sport). The Bosnian has a €38 million buy-out clause, but the bianconeri have managed to get reduction from the capital club in respect of the length of contract the 26-year-old still has left at the giallorossi.
Former Argentine national team boss Marcelo Bielsa has emerged as the number one choice to take over the managerial hot-seat at Lazio (Corriere dello Sport). The 60-year-old tactician is believed to be discussing the possibility of heading to the Eternal City with President Claudio Lotito.
Napoli continues to negotiate with Porto over Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera. (Corriere dello Sport). The player has already discussed personal terms with the vesuviani who have yet to come to an agreement with his current employers.
Manchester United are interested in taking Torino midfielder Afriyie Acquah (Tuttosport). The 24-year-old Ghana international is believed to be valued at around £12 million.
Former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles could be about to make a summer move to Cagliari (Tuttosport). The 33-year-old currently plays in Turkey with Fenerbahçe but a switch to Serie A could now be possible.
The future of Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure is still unclear despite reportedly being on the verge of a move to Inter (Corriere dello Sport). The players agent is still in discussions with Manchester City to try to get the 33-year-old released from his contract.
The knee injury to Roma defender Antonio Rudiger has prompted the club to step up their pursuit of Medhi Benatia (Corriere dello Sport). The 29-year-old Moroccan left the Stadio Olimpico in 2014 to join Bayern Munich but has failed to hold down a first-team place. The Bavarians have already stated that he can return to Serie A next season.
Steve Mitchell @barafundler
