Manchester City are actively exploring a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti confirming that contact is taking place as Pep Guardiola's side continue reshaping their midfield. According to Telegraph, Bouaddi has emerged as a serious target during a summer that could redefine the balance of City's engine room.
Ancelotti has made Lille's position clear, admitting, "Manchester City are in talks to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi," while also stressing that the French club would prefer the move not to happen in this window. That stance is understandable. Bouaddi is only 18, yet his stock has risen rapidly after a sequence of mature displays, including an eye-catching performance against Brazil in Morocco's opening World Cup fixture.
City's interest reflects wider movement in the centre of the pitch. Rodri is understood to want a switch to Barcelona, while Tijjani Rijnders has already departed for Saudi Arabian side Al Qadisah. Those developments have increased the urgency around recruitment, and Bouaddi appears to fit the profile of a long-term elite option with immediate upside.
Lille, however, are under little pressure to sell and would be highly resistant to losing one of their brightest ******* ets. The valuation under discussion is substantial, with any agreement expected to require at least £85m, which the original reporting states as €100m. For a player of Bouaddi's age, that is a major commitment, but it also underlines how highly he is rated across Europe.
Photo IMAGO

#manchester

Davide Frattesi has written an unusual farewell note to Inter fans after his transfer to Lazio. 'Perhaps we weren't compatible, we had ups and downs, but in those moments broke the sky in two.'
The midfielder has completed his move to Lazio, on loan for €5m with option to buy for a further €10m plus 50 per cent of the profit from a future sale.
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
He had been with the Nerazzurri since leaving Sassuolo in 2023, but despite some epic moments including decisive Champions League goals against Bayern Munich and Barcelona, the Italian never became a regular.
There were ultimately 122 competitive appearances, with 15 goals and 12 ******* ists, but only 36 of those were in the starting XI over three years.

#frattesi

Inter outcast Davide Frattesi is reportedly on the verge of joining Lazio on a season-long loan. According to Calciomercato, the Italian midfielder is set to sign for the Biancocelesti after the Lega Serie A unblocked his move to the Stadio Olimpico.
Frattesi has been on the fringes at the Giuseppe Meazza over the last two years. However, Inter refused to let him join Atletico Madrid last summer as Cristian Chivu vowed to help the former Sassuolo man reignite his career in Lombardy.
Chivu failed to live up to his pre-season promise, handing the 26-year-old just three Serie A starts in 2025/26. Tired of playing second fiddle to Nicolo Barella, Frattesi requested the transfer at the end of last season, and Inter are about to grant his wish.
Roma and Juventus had been keen on Frattesi, but the player is now one step away from joining Lazio.
Frattesi's contract at Meazza runs out next summer. Therefore, time is not on Inter's side, as they must find a way to cash in on their unsettled star quickly. Allowing him to move to Lazio on loan will reportedly pour around €5 million into the club's coffers.

#frattesi #meazza

Newcastle United's search for midfield help remains one of the club's biggest priorities with the Premier League season approaching, particularly after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turned down a move to St. James' Park following advanced talks.
According to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, Newcastle is now involved in situations concerning two Inter Milan midfielders. The Magpies have been offered the chance to sign Davide Frattesi and have also inquired about highly rated 21-year-old Aleksandar Stankovic, though landing the latter looks like a very long shot.
"We can now reveal that intermediaries working on Frattesi's situation have made Newcastle aware of his potential availability," Bailey reported.
Frattesi, 26, has been told he can leave Inter this summer as the Italian club attempts to create room in its squad for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, whom Bailey says Inter remains determined to sign.
TEAMtalk reports that Inter values Frattesi at approximately €30 million (£26 million), with Juventus also showing interest. The Italy international is believed to be willing to move to the Premier League after previously attracting interest from Nottingham Forest in January.

#bailey #million

Inter are reportedly retaining a 50 per cent cut of Davide Frattesi's future sale fee from Lazio, explaining why he is sold for €15m and not the €30m asking price.
There had been some very raised eyebrows when the figures emerged of an agreement between the two clubs today.
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
All summer long, Inter have set the €30m minimum price tag on the midfielder, already a drop from the €40m they had been demanding last season.
VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between ******* as Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 02, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

#davide #Inter #april #images

Napoli outcast Lorenzo Lucca remains a target for Lazio, who are still keen to sign a centre-forward before the end of the summer.
In recent hours, several reliable sources in Italy confirmed the Biancocelesti's renewed interest in Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi. Claudio Lotito and co. are seemingly negotiating with the Nerazzurri, as well as the player's representative, Giuseppe Riso, whose stable could offer Lazio a solution for their attacking conundrum.
As Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla points out, Riso is also the agent of Andrea Pinamonti and Lorenzo Lucca, two strikers who are on Lazio's shortlist.
After missing out on Franjo Ivanovic (who preferred to join RC Lens), several sources identified Sassuolo's Pinamonti as the Aquile's new primary target. However, Pedulla insists that Lucca remains a viable option, one that the club could revisit in the coming days.
Lucca is a well-travelled Italian striker who stands at an impressive 201 cm. The Moncalieri native enjoyed a positive spell at Udinese between 2023 and 2025, scoring 23 goals in 75 appearances before earning a €30 million move to Napoli last summer.

#lazio #pinamonti

Lazio have reportedly asked for Davide Frattesi on loan, but Inter still hope Nottingham Forest will buy the midfielder outright, so they can reinvest in Liverpool's Curtis Jones.
The Nerazzurri risk losing out on so many transfer targets this summer because they must sell before they can bring in any new players, and that is proving to be extremely difficult.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale in action during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
Frattesi was the most likely to take the exit after struggling for regular playing time under both Simone Inzaghi and then Cristian Chivu.
However, ***** ody seems prepared to pay the €30m asking price for the Italy international.

#internazionale

Despite several delays in negotiations with Premier League giants, Inter have not pulled themselves out of the race to acquire Liverpool central midfielder Curtis Jones, as coach Christian Chivu deems the English international as his primary target to bolster the central area of the pitch.
Milanese journal La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that with a short window of nearly two weeks before the Serie A 2026-27 campaign kicks off, the Nerazzurri remain hopeful in attaining a complete squad prior to the opening match against Monza.
As it stands, Liverpool remains firm on their €40m evaluation for the 25-year-old midfield starlet, albeit his contract with the Reds expiring in the summer of 2027.
Hence, Inter are seeking to offload former Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattessi as soon as possible as he is no longer part of coach Christian Chivu's plans and the departure of the Italian international would make room for Curtis Jones to arrive at San Siro.
In the event that Inter struggle to find an appropriate suitor for Frattessi in a short amount of time, the Beneamata would evaluate cashing in on promising holding midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, whom they just redeemed from Club Brugges after activating the €26m buy-back clause and refusing a lucrative €40m from Premier League oufits Brentford for the 21-year-old rising star.

#jones

As a new season draws near, football-hungry fans around the country will be tweaking their fantasy teams, making themselves experts on rumoured transfer targets and keeping eyes keenly trained on new kit releases.
It's an exciting time for collectors, whether they're looking for never-before-seen designs, classic shirts reimagined or niche releases from far-flung lands to impress their colleagues at five-a-side.
BBC Sport has rounded up a non-exhaustive list of some of the best kit releases for 2026-27 so far, ordered alphabetically.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to vote for your top 10.
Marking 20 years since AC Milan's last Champions League ******* le, the Rossoneri's new away shirt is modelled by legendary former player Filippo Inzaghi - who won the trophy twice with the club, including scoring a brace in the 2007 final in Athens to beat Liverpool - and current defender Davide Bartesaghi.

#releases #scroll #marking #champions

Juventus and Inter Milan could complete a swap deal as both clubs continue to explore ways of strengthening their squads. With each side interested in a player from the other team, an exchange could prove to be a practical solution that benefits everyone involved.
The Bianconeri have been interested in signing Davide Frattesi for some time, with Luciano Spalletti keen on a reunion. Juventus believe the midfielder could add quality to their squad and remain attentive to any opportunity that could make a deal possible.
Inter Milan have now turned their attention to Nicolas Gonzalez as they look to add another winger to their squad. The Argentinian has established himself as a quality player over the last few seasons and is viewed as someone capable of strengthening their attacking options.
According to Calciomercato, both clubs have started talks involving Frattesi and Gonzalez as Juventus look to give Spalletti one of the players he believes he can get the best from. The report adds that Inter are equally interested in Gonzalez because of their need for a new winger.
The report also states that Gonzalez performed well during his loan spell at Atletico Madrid last season. It further claims that he has insisted he does not want to play for Juventus again, making a permanent departure, including as part of a swap arrangement, a sensible outcome for all parties if an agreement can be reached.

#juventus #Inter #spalletti #deal

The second attempt by Inter to onboard Moussa Diaby in the span of a few months might be short-lived too, and they inquired about Nicolas Gonzalez, who's technically at Juventus but in limbo after Atletico Madrid didn't pick up their option to buy, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.
The Frenchman was a complex target to begin with because of his lofty wages. The Nerazzurri need help from Al-Ittihad and would prefer to include Kristjan Asllani to limit the disbursement. The deal doesn't have a lot of momentum. Furthermore, Bayer Leverkusen have joined the race and are pushing.
Inter expressed interest in Diaby but didn't initiate a real negotiation, while intermediaries suggested tracking Gonzalez. They are mulling over whether to proceed or not. He did okay in Spain, scoring 5 goals in 24 appearances and handling multiple roles amid a few small muscular injuries.
According to Fabrizio Romano (via Goal), Juventus will only let him go permanently this time around. Atletico Madrid passed on a €30M clause, believing they could get better terms afterward. Per La Gazzetta dello Sport, he doesn't want to stay in Turin. A swap deal with Davide Frattesi, who's also on his way out, could be a tangible possibility. They have comparable wages and valuations.
They have suddenly started focusing on very offensive-minded options, perhaps signaling that they might not stop at one acquisition to balance things out. Their Argentinian connection is well-known. A straight-up trade with Juventus could be beneficial for both and could have legs if the two sides acted reasonably, but Frattesi wouldn't find himself in a much better situation competition-wise.

#gonzalez #atletico #didn 't

A soft Christopher Nkunku penalty cancelled out the Federico Dimarco opener, as Inter and Milan drew 1-1 in a pre-season friendly in Perth.
There were several initiatives before kick-off to remember iconic Rossoneri captain Franco Baresi, including a minute's silence with all the players united around his jersey, and the Milan players wearing his Number 6 shirt. Play also halted at the sixth minute for a further moment of remembrance.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: FC Internazionale and AC Milan stand for a minutes silence during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
Francesco Camarda and Davide Bartesaghi both somehow failed to get the crucial touch on a Samuel Chukwueze cross at the back post, then Yunus Musah fired into the upright of a practically open goal on the Ruben Loftus-Cheek pull-back.
Francesco Pio Esposito's acrobatic volley forced a tricky save, as did Piotr Zielinski's flick from 12 yards.

#august

Lille are already planning for the possible departure of Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Matteo Moretto reporting the Ligue 1 side have identified Real Madrid midfielder Jorge Cestero as a potential replacement.
The French club are entering a new era under former Real Madrid ****** istant Davide Ancelotti, with a summer of significant squad changes.
One of the club's biggest priorities is preparing for the imminent exit of Bouaddi.
The 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder has become one of Europe's most sought-after young talents following his impressive performances at the 2026 World Cup.
And, Manchester City are now close to reaching an agreement with Lille, having already verbally agreed personal terms with the player.

#bouaddi #ligue

Manchester City continue their pre-season duties as they face a combined team of K-League's best players at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea on Wednesday.
The Enzo Maresca era started in Hong Kong with a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan. Divin Mubama opened the scoreline with the easiest of tap-ins after a wonderful Antoine ***** yo solo run on the 14 minute mark. Inter, however, took only six spins on the clock to equalise, as Benjamin Pavard scored after a mess in City's defence.
The Italian side went on to win the Asahi Super Dry Trophy on penalties. Despite Gianluigi Donnarumma's incredible save to deny Davide Frattesi; Rayan Ait Nouri, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico González all missed from the spot. Claudio Echeverri, with a cheeky panenka, scored the Blues' only goal in the shootout, as Inter claimed a 1-3 win on penalties.
Match Report & Player Ratings: Manchester City 1-1 (1-3 Penalties) Inter (Pre-Season Friendly)
Now in South Korea, Manchester City are K-League All Stars next opponents. The exhibition match gathers a side composed of the best players from the national league, hosting a standout team from abroad. In 2025, they beat Newcastle United 1-0.

#match

Inter Milan are doing what smart clubs do. They have identified a player with quality, versatility and resale value, then moved when the contract situation gives them leverage. According to Caught Offside, the Italian champions are stepping up their pursuit of Curtis Jones and believe they can land him for less than Liverpool want.
This is where the numbers matter. Inter are reportedly ready to go to around €35 million, while Liverpool want closer to €40 million. That is not some dramatic gulf. In modern transfer terms, it is a small gap and usually the sort that gets closed by add-ons, structure, or a future sell-on clause.
IMAGO | Anfield Index
The logic is obvious. Jones gives Inter energy, press resistance and the ability to play in multiple midfield roles. If Davide Frattesi leaves, they need someone who can carry the ball and cope with the demands of a top side. Jones fits that profile. He also brings Premier League experience, which carries weight when clubs ****** s whether a player can handle pressure.
Liverpool, for their part, are reluctant to lose an academy graduate, particularly one appreciated by Andoni Iraola. That makes sense too. Homegrown players matter, and Jones has qualities that managers trust. Still, if a player is entering the final year of his deal, sentiment only goes so far. Clubs either renew, sell, or accept diminished control.

#player #want

Serie A side Milan have signed a possible replacement for Strahinja Pavlovic, with Troyes talent Sankhoun Diawara having arrived on a permanent deal.
Rangers had tried to sign the defender and were offering an attractive project that would've drafted him directly into the club first-team.
La Gazzetta dello Sport note that after a push, Milan have secured Diawara's services. Initially, they had played to have him as part of the Futuro side but the club's management have decided to make him a part of the first-team, as someone who will replace Pavlovic in the future.
The two players are very similar – left-footed and tall, while possessing a reliable ability on the ball. Milan want to see Diawara grow into the player the Serbian is, with the player expected to cost around €3 million.
For quite a while, it seemed like Rangers would seal the move. Milan's plan suggest a long-term plan which they also somewhat followed for Davide Bartesaghi and their academy graduates in recent years have done quite well. Diawara comes at a key point in his career and Ruben Amorim likes the profile of young defenders that can play on the left side of the back three. This will put him in good stead during his time at the Rossoneri.

#side #rangers #part #player

Among their many objectives, Milan will rework their wings this summer and are ******* sing a few options, starting with Noussair Mazraoui, who already played for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, Matteo Moretto reports (via SOSFanta).
The chase is in its early stages. There have been no direct contacts between the two clubs for now. The player is under contract until 2028 with an option. The fullback headed to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich for €15M in 2024 and has accumulated 77 appearances, dishing out 3 ******* ists. He had started his career at Ajax.
Milan will eventually decide whether to bid for Mazraoui or target different players. In the meantime, they are open to selling Pervis Estupinan just a year after acquiring him for €20M. Aston Villa have shown some interest. Ideally, he’d leave for a similar fee.
According to TuttoSport, the Rossoneri are eyeing a right-footed specialist. Amorim might use Alexis Saelemaekers on the left flank. They could duel with Inter for Guéla Doué. They have tendered a five-year contract with a €2.5M salary. Rafik Belghali, who has been offered to several Serie A sides after Verona’s relegation, is among the cheaper alternatives. His price tag is €15M.
It’s not one of their most urgent needs, as Davide Bartesaghi is perfectly viable and Zachary Athekame eventually proved to be an okay backup, but they’ll obviously need an addition if they get rid of Estupinan without taking a bath, which is easier said than done. If they really want to blow their tactics up and have all wingers with inverted feet, they should go after an offensive-minded option like Doué’s teammate, Diego Moreira.

ROME (AP) — The traditionalist Catholics who defied Pope Leo XIV and caused a schism defended their actions Friday, insisting they were merely saving souls and were victim of an unjust sanction by the Holy See.
The head of the Society of St. Pius X wrote to Leo a day after the Vatican excommunicated the group's bishops and priests and warned its faithful they too could be excommunicated for participating in the schism, or rupture in church unity.
The society, known as SSPX, celebrates the ancient Latin Mass and opposes the modernizing reforms of the Catholic Church. On Wednesday, it consecrated four new bishops without papal consent during a massive ceremony at its seminary in Econe, Switzerland, committing one of the gravest crimes in church law.
Leo had begged the SSPX not go ahead with the ceremony, but the SSPX defied his will. Within 24 hours, the Vatican declared an exceptionally harsh punishment that surprised even the SSPX's toughest critics.
In his letter to Leo, the SSPX superior, the Rev. Davide Pagliarani cast the SSPX as the defiant guardian of the church's tradition and the victim of an unjust sanction by Rome.

Carlo Ancelotti has fired back at supporters criticising his footballing know-how at the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson is perhaps the only person on the planet better qualified to give their opinion on the sport: ‘There’s only one person who has taken charge of more games than me’.
Ancelotti and his Brazil national team squad are through to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after a last-gasp 2-1 victory over ******* an in the round of 32.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, chats with his ******* istant coach Davide Ancelotti during the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Despite finishing top of their group, ahead of 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, it has not all been smooth sailing for Ancelotti during the tournament.
The Italian tactician came under fire after the opening 1-1 draw against Morocco and has faced criticism from supporters over his team selection, whether it be the opinion-dividing decision to take a half-injured 34-year-old Neymar to the tournament or his choice to leave the popular Endrick out of the starting XI.

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday issued a plea to a breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics to call off its plan to consecrate new bishops without his consent, describing the move as a schismatic act and a "sin of extreme gravity."
"I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!" Leo wrote in a letter to the Rev. Davide Pagliarani, the superior of the Society of St. Pius X.
Leo issued the last-ditch appeal a day before the society plans to consecrate four new bishops at its seminary in Econe, Switzerland. Under church law, the consecrations constitute a schismatic act, or an intentional rupture of the unity of the Catholic Church, and incur automatic excommunication for the four bishops and the bishop administering the consecration.
Pagliarani responded by writing a formal letter to Leo asking him to take time before deciding any penalty.
"Far be it from us to separate ourselves from the Roman Church. We desire, on the contrary, to serve her by means that are extraordinary, as one would **** ist a mother in distress who requires particular help, even if such help is not understood by everyone," Pagliarani wrote.

Inter are also looking at strengthening their midfield, and among the players linked to the Nerazzurri is Niccolò Pisilli.
The 2004-born Roma midfielder is considered one of the most interesting young players in Italy, and given his characteristics, he could provide continuity should Davide Frattesi leave. However, the path seems far from straightforward.
According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Inter are also considering Pisilli’s name after failing to close a deal for Liverpool’s Jones.
The Giallorossi midfielder is reportedly valued by the Nerazzurri management, and his value is said to be around €25 million. Roma, however, doesn’t appear to be willing to part with him.
Pisilli has repeatedly reiterated his desire to remain in the capital, and the Giallorossi also consider him an important ***** et for the present and the future.

Your daily dose of Everton news and rumours
Don’t look now, but David Moyes is a strong contender for the Scotland job following Steve Clarke’s departure.
Jordan Pickford and England gear up for their Round of 32 match against DR Congo on Wednesday following a 2-0 win over Panama. [EFC]
A terrific day for Ndiaye, Gueye, and Senegal as the West African side go into the knockout phase.
Davide Ancelotti will make his Everton return this summer when his Lille side visit for a preseason friendly. [EFC]

Inter will need to improve their offer for Curtis Jones and, according to Gazzetta, Nottingham Forest’s incoming proposal for Davide Frattesi would ideally help the Nerazzurri raise funds for the Liverpool midfielder.
Inter have made Liverpool midfielder Jones their top transfer target in central midfield, but according to recent reports from the UK, the Reds have set a € 40m price tag on the 25-year-old, who has just entered the final year of his contract at Anfield.
Italian media had previously reported a different transfer fee, suggesting that the Reds would sell Jones for €30m.
Inter are set to sign Marco Palestra from Atalanta in a deal worth over €50m, so they’ll need to rack up the budget for Jones by selling some players.
Among them is Italy international Frattesi, who has attracted interest from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City are close to completing a big-money signing of Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, a deal that could have significant implications for Inter. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the England international’s move to the Etihad Stadium could help the Nerazzurri kill two birds with one stone.
Valued at around £150 million, Andreson has emerged as one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League. Despite Manchester United’s long-standing interest, the 23-year-old is on the verge of joining their city rivals, with medicals expected to take place in the United States.
Anderson’s transfer to Man City would force Forest back into the market, and Inter outcast Davide Frattesi could come to fill the void. Indeed, the Italian star remains one of the Tricky Trees’ top targets. However, they have to sell Anderson before making any move for the former Sassuolo man.
Such a significant cash influx would hand Forest a major financial boost and immediately put them ahead of Napoli and Juventus in the race for Frattesi’s signature. Meanwhile, Inter have finally put their out-of-favor midfielder up for sale after yet another disappointing season.
Frattesi’s transfer to the City Ground would pour around €25 million into Inter’s coffers. Furthermore, it would open **** e for another midfielder amid the club’s pursuit of Liverpool star Curtis Jones, who was close to joining the Nerazzurri in the January transfer window.