Football Italia

According to Tuttosport, ex-Tottenham loanee Palhinha has attracted interest from Juventus, who have also been offered Sassuolo’s Nemanja Matic.

Juventus have prioritised the purchase of a goalkeeper and a centre-forward but are also looking for reinforcements in central midfield.

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Juventus’ potential midfield targets

According to Tuttosport, ex-Tottenham loanee Palinha is an option for the Bianconeri, who, however, have not yet made a move to sign the Portuguese from Bayern Munich.

The Serie A giants are not yet in talks for any potential reinforcement in the middle of the park and are keeping an eye on several targets.

According to Tuttosport, even Sassuolo midfielder Matic, a former Chelsea and Roma star, has been offered to the Bianconeri.

Giovanni Carnevali signed the experienced 37-year-old central midfielder at Sassuolo last summer, and Matic has the same agents as Emiliano Martinez, who is Juventus’ top target in goal.

Juventus failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2025-26 and will be playing in the Europa League in 2026-27.

Rafael Leao was proposed to Tottenham Hotspur, claims transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano, but Roberto De Zerbi’s club are so far not interested in making an offer to Milan.

The Portugal international put himself on the market this summer when giving several interviews assuring that he had given his all to the Rossoneri, so was ready for the next adventure.

He stated that the Premier League and LaLiga might be more suited to his style of football, but getting clubs ready to pay even the reduced asking price of €60m is proving very difficult indeed.

Truth about Tottenham and Leao

There have been suggestions that Tottenham Hotspur are interested, but transfer pundit Romano claims on his YouTube channel that this is the wrong way round.

Instead, Leao’s intermediaries proposed him to Spurs, who were not particularly excited by the idea of signing the winger.

The desire to separate goes two ways, because Leao is only under contract until June 2028 and Milan have no intention of offering an extension, eager to get his wages off the books.

That is effectively confirmed by new coach Ruben Amorim, who said that the ‘ideal’ position for Christian Pulisic is on the left side of a trident attack.

That is the position currently held by Leao, forcing the USMNT star to shift over onto the right.

So far, the only genuine interest in him has come from Benfica and Galatasaray.

Radu Dragusin admits he ‘couldn’t wait to get here’ and join Fiorentina, but his experience at Tottenham Hotspur ‘helped me grow a great deal.’

The defender completed the transfer to the Viola this afternoon, on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season if certain conditions are met.

Dragusin back in Serie A

“I feel really good, I am so happy to be here and can’t wait to get started with the lads on the pitch,” Dragusin told the official Fiorentina website.

The Romania international already speaks fluent Italian, as he spent much of his career in the peninsula.

He first came to Italy with the Juventus youth academy in 2018, then after loans at Sampdoria and Salernitana, he flourished at Genoa from 2022.

This earned him a €28m sale to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2024, but now he is back on loan for €1.5m with an obligation to buy for a further €17.5m to be activated at his 22nd appearance for the Viola.

“I had already come to Florence a few times when playing for Genoa, just as a tourist to visit this beautiful city and its amiable people. There is a big season ahead of us and we certainly want to do well,” continued Dragusin.

“The experience at Tottenham helped me grow a great deal, both as a player and a man. I carry with me the many tough duels I had with opposition strikers, the quality of the players I faced. It helped me to mature and I hope to bring that experience with me in this new team.”

There are some familiar faces for Dragusin in the current Fiorentina squad too.

“I already played with Albert Gudmundsson at Genoa and we have a great rapport. I also know Fagioli, Kean and Ranieri, so we exchanged some messages over the last few days. I couldn’t wait to get here.”

Fiorentina have officially signed defender Radu Dragusin from Tottenham Hotspur on loan with an option to buy that could become an obligation for a reported €19m.

The deal was worked out by Viola director Fabio Paratici, who until February had been working for Spurs.

🐉 💜⚜️ pic.twitter.com/CuJHaUQ7MO

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) July 8, 2026

This is a loan with obligation to make the move permanent if specific performance-based criteria is met.

The player arrived in Florence yesterday to undergo medical tests and completed the transfer this evening.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, this is a loan worth €1.5m with obligation to buy for a further €17.5m that is activated at his 22nd appearance for Fiorentina.

There should also be a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee going to Tottenham.

Dragusin returns to Serie A

This represents a return to Serie A for Dragusin, who had spent time in the Juventus youth academy, going on loan to Sampdoria, Salernitana and Genoa.

He was sold to the Grifone for €9.7m in the summer of 2023, then just six months later moved to Tottenham Hotspur for €28m plus add-ons.

A devastating knee injury saw him tear the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in January 2025, keeping him out for practically an entire year.

Dragusin made only 48 competitive appearances in the Spurs jersey during that time, barely 11 last season, of which just six were from the start.

Now the Romania international has returned to Italy, where he will play for Fiorentina.

Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin landed in Italy on Tuesday morning to complete his medical tests and sign his contract with Fiorentina.

Ex-Genoa defender Dragusin is set to return to Serie A after landing in Florence this morning to complete a move from Tottenham.

It’s an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy in a transfer package worth €19m.

Dragusin is undergoing his medical tests in Florence before signing his contract.

Fiorentina already posted a picture of the defender at their training ground, Viola Park.

Watch: Dragusin ready for Fiorentina move

🟣#Dragusin alle visite mediche con la #Fiorentina👀 pic.twitter.com/oqr0hyOOzX

— Flavio Ognissanti (@Flavio_Ognissan) July 7, 2026

Tottenham Hotspur confirm Italy star Sandro Tonali will wear the No.16 shirt in North London next season.

Italian midfielder Tonali has chosen the No. 16 at Tottenham for 2026-27, Spurs confirmed in an official statement on Monday.

Tottenham had previously announced Tonali’s move from Newcastle, with the ex-Milan star becoming the most expensive Italian footballer ever and the second-largest sale completed by the Magpies.

Tonali’s Tottenham squad number confirmed

Tonali previously wore No. 4 at Brescia and No. 8 at both Tottenham and Milan across the last six seasons, as well as with the Italy national team.

However, Conor Gallagher already wears No. 8 at Tottenham, so Tonali had to choose a different number.

Tonali revealed in his first interview with Tottenham’s official website, that he had spoken for nearly two hours with coach Roberto De Zerbi before accepting the offer from Spurs.

De Zerbi warmly welcomed his compatriot at Tottenham, calling Tonali, a 2021-22 Milan Scudetto winner, a “special player.”

The Italy international has signed a six-year contract until 2032.

Sandro Tonali reveals he spoke to Roberto De Zerbi ‘for close to two hours’ before joining Tottenham while Newcastle confirm that the Italian’s sale is the ‘second-largest fee ever received for a player’ in the club’s history.

Tottenham and Newcastle officially confirmed Tonali’s move to North London on Monday morning, with the Italian midfielder releasing his first interview as a Spurs player on the club’s official website.

“I’m very happy to be here. When I arrived at the Club today, it felt fantastic. People said about there being four or five clubs – there was only one,” said the Italy star.

Tonali breaks silence on Tottenham transfer and chat with De Zerbi

“I spoke to the Head Coach for close to two hours about the Club, the fans, the stadium and our football. It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham. I’ve played against Tottenham a few times and always found a great atmosphere made by great fans. I can’t wait to start the season.”

The strong bond with Italian coach De Zerbi clearly played a big role in Tonali’s decision to move to North London.

Tonali was born in Lodi, while De Zerbi comes from Brescia, two towns in the Lombardy region, only 80 km apart, about an hour’s drive.

Both played for Brescia at different times in their careers, and while De Zerbi is a product of the Milan Academy who never made his senior debut with the Rossoneri, Tonali played for Milan’s first team and won the Scudetto in 2021-22.

“Sandro is a special player and a great signing for our Club,” De Zerbi said.

“I have followed him for a long time, as he came through the youth system at my hometown club, Brescia, and I’m so happy to be working with him now. Given his qualities, there was a lot of interest in Sandro this summer. However, he was very clear in his desire to join Tottenham, and I know our fans will love what he brings to the team.”

The deal is reportedly worth €115m, including add-ons, making Tonali the most expensive Italian footballer ever.

Although the official fee remains undisclosed, Newcastle confirm that Tonali’s sale is the “second-largest fee ever received for a player” in the club’s history.

Tottenham Hotspur confirm Sandro Tonali’s transfer from Newcastle: ‘A tenacious, creative and energetic figure across the midfield.’

Premier League side Tottenham confirmed Tonali’s move from Newcastle with an official statement on Monday morning.

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Multiple sources reported over the last few weeks that Spurs had agreed a €115m deal with Newcastle to secure the services of the ex-Milan star.

This transfer makes Tonali the most expensive Italian player ever, surpassing Mateo Retegui, who moved to Al Qadsiah from Atalanta in a €68m transfer just a year ago.

Tonali, 26, spent the last three seasons at Newcastle, scoring ten goals and providing ten assists in 110 appearances across all competitions.

A former Milan and Brescia star, Tonali won the Serie A title with Milan in 2021-22 and lifted the Carabao Cup during his three-year spell at Newcastle.

The Italy international made his senior Azzurri debut in 2019 and has scored four goals in 32 international appearances.

Tonali transfer: official Tottenham statement

“A tenacious, creative and energetic figure across the midfield, Sandro joins us from Newcastle, where he became one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League,” Tottenham said in a statement.

“Born in Lodi, Italy, he learned his trade in Lombardy, beginning his footballing journey with spells at Lombardia Uno and Piacenza before he joined Brescia in 2012. The hometown club of his new Head Coach Roberto, the midfielder made his professional debut for the then Serie B side in August, 2017, and enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign, going on to claim the division’s Player of the Season award. That was an honour he scooped the following year as well as he played a central role in Brescia’s promotion to Serie A in 2018/19.

“After three impressive campaigns and 89 appearances for La Leonessa, Sandro earned a move to Italian giants AC Milan on a season-long loan in September, 2020, where he became a key part of the team and enjoyed his first taste of European football as the Rossoneri reached the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League.

“The following campaign saw his move to AC Milan turn permanent and a fruitful year for the Serie A side saw them collect their 19th Scudetto and first since 2011. Featuring in all but two league fixtures that season, Sandro was key to the team’s success and made six appearances in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

“A consistent figure in the midfield again in 2022/23, he featured in the UEFA Champions League for a second successive season and started every game as the team reached the semi-finals of the competition. He made a total of 130 appearances for AC Milan, scoring seven goals, earning countless plaudits for his performances.

“In July, 2023, Sandro signed for Newcastle and scored his first goal for the club on his Premier League debut the following month. During his time on Tyneside, he made a total of 110 appearances, scoring 10 goals, and helped the Magpies end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy as Newcastle United won the 2025 Carabao Cup.

“Representing Italy at the 2018 Under-19 European Championships and the 2019 Under-21 European Championship, he earned his first senior cap for his country in October, 2019, in a UEFA European Championship qualifying fixture against Liechtenstein. To date, he has 32 senior caps and four goals to his name.

“Welcome, Sandro!”

More on Tonali to Tottenham – Tonali and De Zerbi break silence as Tottenham seal Newcastle’s 2nd-biggest sale

Tonali transfer: official Newcastle statement

Newcastle also confirmed Tonali’s move through their official website: “The undisclosed transfer fee represents the second largest fee ever received for a player in Newcastle United’s history,” the club said.

“Sandro departs St. James’ Park having made 110 appearances for the club, scoring ten goals in all competitions.

“The 26-year-old, who joined from AC Milan in summer 2023, leaves having also won major silverware on Tyneside. He played an influential role as the club lifted the Carabao Cup in March 2025, and he featured a further 53 times last season, including 11 appearances in the UEFA Champions League.

“Everybody at Newcastle United thanks Sandro for his contribution to the club and wishes him and his family well for the future.”

Fiorentina have pulled off a surprise move in defence, closing in on the return of Radu Dragusin to Serie A from Tottenham.

According to Fabrizio Romano, via CalcioMercato, a verbal agreement is in place for the Romania international to join on loan with an obligation to buy.

The Viola have agreed terms on the basis of a €1.5 million paid loan, with the obligatory purchase at the end of the season set at €17.5 million.

The move reunites Dragusin with Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici, who first brought the centre-back to Tottenham from Genoa back in 2024.

Dragusin returns to Italy after Spurs spell

Dragusin’s story in Italian football stretches back to Juventus, where he progressed from the club’s youth ranks and Next Gen setup to the first team, making his debut as an 18-year-old in the Champions League against Dynamo Kyiv in December 2020.

He managed just 232 minutes in a Juventus shirt, though, before a series of loans took him to Sampdoria, Salernitana and then Genoa.

It was in Liguria that his career took off. Dragusin starred in Genoa’s promotion, earned a permanent move and then impressed in Serie A across late 2023 and early 2024, form that attracted the attention of several big clubs, with Tottenham winning the race ahead of Bayern Munich.

His time in the Premier League proved harder than expected, however, with a serious knee injury disrupting his progress and limiting his minutes.

A return to Italy now offers the chance to rebuild, with the obligation-to-buy clause meaning Fiorentina are committing to him long-term should the season play out as expected.

Rafael Leao could be on the move this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur emerging as a potential destination.

According to English sources relayed by MilanNews via TEAMtalk, Spurs have opened contacts with agent Jorge Mendes and Leao’s entourage, and the Portuguese forward is said to be receptive to a switch.

Despite a strong World Cup and some warm words for Ruben Amorim that appeared to soften his earlier exit talk, Leao and Milan look destined to part ways.

In a meeting this week between the Rossoneri’s new-look transfer team and the winger’s representatives, both parties reportedly confirmed a mutual willingness to move on.

Aware that he is not central to Amorim’s plans, Leao has given his opening, the focus now shifting to whether a suitor tables a valid offer.

De Zerbi’s Spurs spending spree could tempt Leao from Milan

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham have been among the most aggressive movers in the market, reportedly having already completed a trio of eye-catching, big-money signings, headlined by Sandro Tonali, Leao’s former Milan teammate, alongside defender Jan Paul van Hecke and Matheus Fernandes.

Adding Leao to that group would represent another statement of intent, and a reunion with Tonali in north London.

For now, though, this remains at the exploratory stage. Spurs have made their interest known and the player is open, but Milan will want a substantial fee, and no formal bid has yet been lodged.