AC Milan have had a relatively quiet offseason as they’ve brought in few reinforcements ahead of their title defence. But the reigning Serie A champions finally landed their big summer target in Charles De Ketelaere, who dazzled with a hat-trick for his new club.
Elsewhere, Milan’s main title rivals – Juventus, Inter, Roma, Napoli – are all trying to get more transfer business done before the start of the new Serie A season.
Read on as SBOTOP lists down the latest Serie A 2022 news ahead of the new season.
New Milan signing de Ketelaere hits hat-trick
AC Milan spent seemingly the entire summer chasing Charles De Ketelaere, but the Rossoneri finally clinched the deal for the young Belgian for €32 million.
And the 21-year-old Belgian showed just why the Serie A champions were so keen on capturing his services as he scored a hat-trick in Milan’s 7-1 friendly win against Serie C side Pergolettese.
Stefano Pioli’s side did relatively little business this summer, with De Ketelaere and fellow Belgian Divock Origi their only notable new signings. But De Ketelaere has the potential to be the top central playmaker they so desperately need.
The youngster has already drawn comparisons to Milan great Kaka, but he is ready to make his own mark in Milan.
“I have seen many videos of Kaká, he was a fantastic player,” De Ketelaere said. “I have my own characteristics, but I hope to give a similar contribution to what he did.
“Milan has a great history and traditions, many legends have played here, but I think it is right to focus on the future, as the club is doing.”
De Ketelaere looks set to make his Serie A debut this weekend as Milan host Udinese in their season opener.
Juventus closing in on Kostic
Juventus are closing in on a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt wing-back Filip Kostic. According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, Kostic has already agreed to personal terms with Juve, but the two clubs are still looking to bridge the €4 million gap in the transfer fee.
Frankfurt, who were thumped 6-1 in their Bundesliga season opener by Bayern Munich, are preparing to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup later this week, but it remains to be seen whether Kostic will feature as Juve are determined to complete the deal this week.
Kostic, 29, is expected to compete with veteran Alex Sandro for the starting left-back spot.
Napoli nearing Fabian Ruiz sale to PSG
Fabian Ruiz appears to be on his way to France, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly nearing a deal to snap up the talented Napoli midfielder.
Per Romano, new PSG football advisor Luis Campos is a big admirer of the 26-year-old Spaniard, who is in the final year of his contract with the Neapolitans.
Romano added that Napoli will discuss a separate deal for PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Napoli have also been linked with Chelsea’s backup keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Aside from those PSG discussions, Napoli are also hoping to clinch a deal with Sassuolo forward Giacomo Raspadori. They are considered favourites to land the 22-year-old, but they face competition from Juventus.
Napoli are in need of another forward after the departures of veterans Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens this summer.
Inter’s defensive duo could still depart
While rivals AC Milan and Juventus are busy making key additions to their squads, a couple of Inter Milan defenders could still depart this summer.
Dumfries has been linked with a move to Chelsea, who just spent €65.30 million on left-back Marc Cucurella. Meanwhile, Skriniar had been strongly linked with PSG, but the Parisians have seemingly cooled in their pursuit of the centre-back.
Inter have not spent much money this summer, with their loan deal for Romelu Lukaku and their free transfers of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and goalkeeper Andre Onana their only notable additions.
Roma replace Veretout with Wijnaldum
Jose Mourinho’s Roma have made a midfield swap as they brought in Georginio Wijnaldum on loan from PSG and sold Jordan Veretout to Marseille.
The 31-year-old Wijnaldum had a disappointing debut season for PSG after arriving from Liverpool on a free transfer.But he will have the opportunity to revive his career at Roma, who are hoping that his arrival, as well as fellow newcomers Paulo Dybala and Nemanja Matic, will boost their Serie A 2022 odds of winning the title.
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