Transfer Tuesday: A little bit stupid

Staff

Inter Milan are now considering Stefano Pioli as a replacement for Frank de Boer. The Dutchman’s tenure has been marked by turmoil, to put it gently, and you have to think that he’s not long for the San Siro. If Paulo Sousa is still on the Viola chopping block, they may have to look elsewhere.

And if you believe Sky Sports, Sousa may indeed be gone at the end of the season, but not why you might think. The media outlet claims that Juventus have had enough of Massimiliano Allegri and will make an approach for the Fiorentina mister this summer. Given how the Juvenuts and the Viola are respectively playing of late, it’s nothing more than sensationalism and should probably be ignored.

Daniele Prade has resurfaced in Italy as the DS for Sampdoria. We wish him the best, although if working with the Della Valles was tough for him, we can only shake our heads and wish him the best of luck with Massimo Ferrero.

Goalkeepers

We’ve got word that Arsenal are interested in Primavera star Giacomo Satalino, although he’s previously pledged to stay in Florence. Frankly, there’s not really anything to this one.

Defenders

Anderlecht DS Herman van Holsbeek has spoken on Sebastian de Maio, whose month-long sojourn to the Belgian club raised some eyebrows. Apparently he’s no longer welcome there, increasing the probability that he’ll stick in Florence through the end of the year.

Midfielders

Another week, another report that Milan Badelj is heading for AC Milan or Chelsea at the end of the season. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

Gazzetta dello Sport believes that Fiorentina are going to make a January swoop for Empoli star Riccaro Saponara, to whom they’ve been linked for the past two years or so. Their Tuscan neighbors have pledged to keep the young star, around whom the team is built, but a decent offer could pry him away. As you’d expect, Corvino wants to take him on loan over the winter, then make the deal permanent in June. It’s not likely, but he’d be a decent Borja Valero replacement.

Forwards

Seeing Manolo Gabbiadini’s struggles and Nikola Kalinic’s sudden run of form, it’s not surprising that the whispers about the Croatian moving to Napoli have returned. Corvino has talked about rejecting previous offers, but a big-money approach from the Partenopei might be hard to turn down, especially if Nikola’s goalscoring nosedives again and if Khouma Babacar continues to be productive.