The latest transfer news from Serie A sees talks between Arsenal and Bologna for centre-back Riccardo Calafiori delayed by Roma's legal challenge. Meanwhile, Man Utd and Real Madrid are both interested in midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is now a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired. Chelsea and Napoli are also in talks for a transfer, for Romelu Lukaku to join former manager Antonio Conte. Additionally, Lazio's president reveals the clubs trying to sign Manchester United's Mason Greenwood and Raphael Varane reportedly agrees to join Italian side Como after his contract with Man Utd ends. UEFA also releases their new club coefficient standings for the 2024/25 season.
The transfer market in Serie A is in full swing, with several high-profile moves making the headlines. Here are some of the latest updates:
Talks between Arsenal and Bologna for center-back Riccardo Calafiori have been put on hold due to a legal challenge from Roma. The Italian capital club claims to have a buy-back option for the 20-year-old defender, who spent time on loan at the Stadio Olimpico in the past.
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot is a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired, and both Manchester United and Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing the France international. Rabiot has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several months, and it remains to be seen whether he will opt for a switch to England or Spain.
Romelu Lukaku could be set for a return to Serie A, with Chelsea and Napoli in talks over a potential transfer. The Belgian striker endured a disappointing season at Stamford Bridge, and Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti is believed to be keen on bringing Lukaku to Naples.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has revealed that the club are in contact with Manchester United regarding the possible signing of Mason Greenwood. The 20-year-old forward had a breakthrough season in 2020/21 but has fallen out of favor under Erik ten Hag. Additionally, Raphael Varane is reportedly in talks to join Italian side Como after his contract with Man Utd expires.
UEFA has released its new club coefficient standings for the 2024/25 season. Real Madrid tops the list, followed by Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Chelsea. These rankings determine the seeding of teams in European competitions, with the top-ranked clubs receiving a more favorable draw.
1. Who is the most valuable player in Serie A? Answer: Currently, Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan is the most valuable player in Serie A, with an estimated transfer value of €70 million.
2. Which Serie A club has the highest transfer budget? Answer: Juventus has consistently had the highest transfer budget in Serie A in recent years, with a budget of €150 million for the 2022/23 season.
3. How many foreign players can Serie A clubs sign? Answer: Serie A clubs are allowed to sign up to four non-EU players in their squads.
4. Who was the top scorer in Serie A last season? Answer: Lazio striker Ciro Immobile was the top scorer in Serie A last season, scoring 27 goals.
5. Which Italian club has won the most Serie A titles? Answer: Juventus is the most successful club in Serie A history, having won a record 36 league titles.
After announcing his retirement from football, former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has received an offer from Barcelona to come out of retirement and join the La Liga giants. The move comes after Barcelona's first-choice keeper Marc-André ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury and is expected to be out for the next seven months. Szczęsny, who has won three Serie A titles with Juventus, sees this as a great opportunity to return to the field and help Barcelona in their Champions League campaign. This could make him the highest profile Premier League player to comeback from retirement since Paul Scholes.
In an impressive display of both batting and bowling skills, Indian players Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin led Team India to a convincing victory of 280 runs over Bangladesh in the first Test of the ongoing series. Ashwin, who was awarded the Player of the Match, showcased his versatility with a century and a fifer, while Pant returned to the Test format after two years with a remarkable 109-run knock. Captain Rohit Sharma commended Ashwin for his unwavering contributions and also spoke highly of Pant's impact in the game. India aims to build a strong team with a focus on their formidable bowling attack, regardless of the playing conditions.
England's captain Harry Brook's unbeaten 110 runs helped his team secure a much needed 46-run victory against Australia in the third ODI. Despite early setbacks, Brook's partnership with Will Jacks and a bit of luck with the weather allowed England to end Australia's 14-match winning streak in ODIs. The 25-year-old was named the player of the match for his crucial performance.
In a shocking announcement, Raphael Varane, former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, has retired from football at just 31 years old. The French defender cited ongoing knee issues as the reason behind his decision, choosing to step away from the game rather than continue to battle for fitness. Despite this sudden end to his career, Varane expressed immense gratitude for his journey, having won four Champions League titles and a World Cup with France.
Isabella Petersen, a Grade 8 learner at Redhill School, has been chosen to represent the Gauteng Gymnastics Association in a highly anticipated competition taking place in Cape Town this September. Her dedicated training and determination led her to earn a spot in the competition after a challenging gymnastics event during the August holidays. While the journey was not without its challenges, Isabella's love for the sport and dream of representing South Africa in the Olympics keep her motivated to train an average of 10 hours per week to perfect her routines.
FC Barcelona's goalkeeper woes continue as Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffers a complete rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee and will be out of action for months. However, coach Hansi Flick remains confident in the capabilities of backup Inaki Pena to step up and fill the void left by the German international. With the La Liga season in full swing, Pena will need to deliver his best performance as the club looks to maintain its position on the table.
Mumbai will welcome back experienced players Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur for their upcoming Irani Cup match against the Rest of India. With Ajinkya Rahane leading the squad, the Mumbai team will aim to continue their success in the five-day first-class fixture. Thakur's all-round abilities and Iyer's comeback will be a boost for the team, who are eager to make a mark in the tournament. Despite a mediocre performance in the Duleep Trophy, Iyer will be hoping to make a strong case for a spot in the Indian team.
After four weeks out due to a thigh injury, Malo Gusto made his return for Chelsea in their Carabao Cup match against Barrow. The France under-21 international picked up an assist and played 45 minutes before being substituted. His teammates Pedro Neto and Moises Caicedo have expressed their support for his return, amidst strong competition for a starting spot. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hinted that Gusto's minutes will be carefully managed, as they face Brighton in the Premier League this weekend.
"Former France and Real Madrid star Raphael Varane retires from football at 31" After a successful career that included a World Cup title and four Champions League trophies, 31-year-old Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from football. The center-back, known for his elegant playing style and quick reading of the game, recently signed with Serie A club Como but suffered a knee injury in his first match. With no regrets, Varane looks back on his incredible journey from Lens to Madrid to Manchester and playing for his national team.
After only a few months since leaving Manchester United for Como, French defender Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from football. The 31-year-old player suffered a serious knee injury during his debut for Como, leading to the decision to end his career. Varane, who has had a successful decade-long stint with Real Madrid and was a key player in France's 2018 World Cup win, reflects on his journey and expresses pride in his achievements.