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      Chelsea and Man City ‘consider £60m transfer bid for in-demand Italy star to bolster defensive ranks’

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      CHELSEA and Manchester City are considering a move for Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni, according to reports.The centre-back is one of the most in demand players in the world having previously turned down opportunities to move.
      Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in signing Alessandro BastoniCredit: Getty
      He rejected Tottenham when former manager Antonio Conte made an approach over a year ago.
      Now Chelsea and City have turned their eye to Bastoni too, report Calciomercato.
      But Inter will hold out for a hefty transfer fee with the Italy defender priced at £60million.
      The Serie A giants are not under pressure to sell as Bastoni penned a five-year deal in the summer.
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      Manchester United have been linked to Bastoni in the past.
      While Pep Guardiola could decide to focus transfer funds elsewhere after signing Josko Gvardiol in the summer.

      Chelse have spent over £1billion since Todd Boehly took over.
      But the Blues are still exploring ways to improve their squad after a shaky start to the season.
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      Brentford star Ivan Toney is believed to be of interest, with Arsenal also keeping tabs on the striker.
      Toney could be available for as little as £65m too as he has not played for several months due to his ban for betting breaches. More

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      Legendary football competition ‘in danger of dying’ after crucial talks go horribly wrong

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      NAPOLI’S owner has declared that Serie A “will die” after a controversial new TV deal was agreed.The Italian top-flight has announced that after months of negotiations they have agreed a package with DAZN and Sky to continue broadcasting their matches.
      Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has slammed Serie A’s new TV dealCredit: Getty
      The £779m-per-season agreement means that Serie A will remain on the two channels for the next five years.
      A majority 17 out of the 20 top division teams voted for it after opting against creating their own Serie A channel.
      That revolutionary idea would have meant cutting out broadcasters entirely and that the league could produce all of their own content.
      But with the current TV deal expiring at the end of the campaign, it was felt that there was not enough time to get the infrastructure needed.
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      And that meant that they had to go with the low-ball joint-offer from DAZN and Sky that is worth £23m less than the current package.
      Italy previously had the Melandri law that only allowed TV right contracts to be for three years at a time.
      However, that has now been relaxed, which has enabled the five-year package.
      The purpose of that was to try and ensure a higher value of domestic TV rights – but many feel that will see Premier League clubs have even more of a financial advantage over their Italian counterparts as their broadcast rights will rocket again when they come to be renegotiated in 2025.
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      Additionally to the £779m per season offered by DAZN and Sky, the former have also got a revenue sharing part to the deal.
      That will see Serie A and DAZN split revenue 50/50 on sustaining and growing the subscriber base should specified targets be met.
      This move now looks very unlikely to help Italy’s big guns bridge the gap with their Prem, Spanish LaLiga and German Bundesliga rivals in revenue.
      And it led to a furious outburst from Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis upon its announcement today.
      He interrupted Serie A president Luigi De Siervo’s press conference by claiming: “Italian football will die.”
      He then told the media in attendance: “It’s a defeat for Italian football, with this deal our football will die.
      “Sky and DAZN are not competent, they aren’t good for Italian football.” More

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      Jose Mourinho takes brutal ‘cough syrup’ dig at Papu Gomez over drug ban after banned star’s Europa League swipe

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      ROMA boss Jose Mourinho hit out at Papu Gomez after he received a doping ban.The Monza midfielder tested positive for an prohibited substance and will not be able to play for two years.
      Jose Mourinho hit out at Monza and Papu GomezCredit: Getty
      Papu Gomez got a two-year ban for testing positive for a prohibited substanceCredit: Alamy
      Gomez claims the banned drugs found in his system are there “accidentally” after he had some of his son’s cough syrup when he felt sick.
      The 35-year-old World Cup winner with Argentina was on the bench for Sevilla last season as they beat Roma in the Europa League final.
      Gomez said: “Mourinho? I only have one memory of him and that is winning the Europa League against him.”
      It led to the Portuguese boss firing shots back, saying: “Gomez? He didn’t play in the Europa League final, I think he played against Juventus with a positive test.
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      “But I don’t want to take that syrup otherwise I’ll be in trouble too.
      “What happened to him isn’t my problem, dealing with the subject would put me in difficulty.”
      Roma beat Monza 1-0 yesterday thanks to a last-gasp winner by Stephan El Shaarawy.
      And Mourinho’s goal celebration saw him sent off with the red card described as “vintage Jose”.
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      The ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss fell to his knees and punched the air before losing his cool.
      Mourinho turned to his opponent’s bench, mocking them by pretending to cry as he was pulled away by his own staff.
      And the 60-year-old continued to fire shots at Monza in his post-match press conference as he claimed their coaches were “putting on a show” and “trying to pressure the referee.”
      Mourinho’s red card means he will not be at Roma’s trip to his former club Inter Milan next Sunday.
      It will be the second time in a row he will be suspended for the fixture at the San Siro.
      Last year, he watched the match on the TV from the team bus and hilariously vlogged his unusual matchday experience on his Instagram page.
      Jose Mourinho was sent off for making a gesture to the Monza benchCredit: sky sports
      He could watch the next game on the team bus like last seasonCredit: Instagram More

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      Mourinho sent off as he goes ‘vintage Jose’ after last-minute winner and fans think they’ve worked out ‘conspiracy’

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      JOSE MOURINHO was sent off in “vintage” style after Roma scored a last-gasp winner to beat Monza. Stephan El Shaarawy netted in the 90th minute to seal a 1-0 win as they found a way through their ten-man opponents.
      Jose Mourinho was sent off for taunting the Monza benchCredit: Sky Sports
      He mimicked them after Roma netted a late winnerCredit: twitter
      Mourinho was sent off by referee Giovani AyroldiCredit: Getty
      The goal sparked jubilant scenes at the Stadio Olimpico and Mourinho fell to his knee while punching the air in the technical area.
      His emotions then boiled over in typical fashion as he took exception to something said earlier by Monza’s bench.
      The ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss looked at his opposite number and mimicked them talking.
      He then mocked Raffaele Palladino’s side by pretending he was crying by rubbing his eyes.
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      Mourinho’s own coaches chose to pull him away as he sat back down in the dugout.
      However, as he took his seat, he was greeted with a red card before calmly walking down the tunnel.
      Fans found the 60-year-old’s antics hilarious, one said: “Vintage Mourinho red card.”
      Another added: “The Special One for a reason. My GOAT.”
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      A third reacted: “The current version of Mourinho is more subdued but every once in a while he throws in some OG Mourinho like we’re in 2008 again.”
      The Portuguese gaffer’s red card means he will not be on the San Siro touchline next week as Roma face his former club Inter Milan.
      The same happened last year after storming onto the pitch in the previous game versus Atalanta as he fumed over a refereeing decision.
      He therefore decided to watch last year’s match against Inter on the team bus.
      One fan joked: “My conspiracy theory is that Mourinho is very emotional about Inter and comes up with something to make sure that he never manages first-hand against them.”
      The gaffer documented his unusual matchday experience on his Instagram page as he wound-up staff and laughed he was “going to die” on the bus.
      He later sneaked into his side’s dressing room to celebrate the 1-0 win they secured without him present.
      Mourinho could reportedly be set to leave Roma at the end of the season.
      Jose Mourinho watched the game against Inter last year on the team busCredit: Instagram
      He vlogged his day via social media as he watched on teleCredit: Instagram More

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      Axed Chelsea boss Graham Potter in running for Man Utd job should Sir Jim Ratcliffe get rid of Erik ten Hag

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      GRAHAM POTTER is waiting on Napoli to make an official move — but keeping an ear out for Manchester United to call.The Serie A champs want to speak to Potter about becoming their new boss, with Antonio Conte also in the running.
      Ex-Brighton chief Graham Potter has an eye on the Napoli job but could also be in contention at Man Utd if Erik ten Hag is eased outCredit: PA
      Ten Hag is under pressure as the Red Devils are only in mid-tableCredit: Rex
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe is being linked to Potter as the Ineos owner’s sidekick Sir Dave Brailsford is a big fans of the ex-Seagulls chiefCredit: AP
      Potter is still well regarded by the Italians for his work at Brighton despite a nightmare spell at Chelsea.
      Napoli won the title under current Italy boss Luciano Spalletti but have slumped since Rudi Garcia took charge.
      But Potter is also a possible candidate for United when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team takes charge if the Red Devils’ owners-in-waiting decide to get rid of Erik ten Hag.
      Ratcliffe’s sidekick, Sir Dave Brailsford — who is set to be the football face of the takeover — is a Potter fan and wanted him at French side Nice.
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      The Ineos owner – Britain’s richest man – has agreed a £1.35billion deal for a 25 per cent share of the club.
      And, despite recent delays, the 70-year-old still hopes to formally arrive at Old Trafford in time for the January transfer window.
      Ratcliffe is the only contender to seriously invent in the Red Devils after Sheikh Jassim withdrew his takeover bid.
      But if Potter, 48, did come in it would be seen as a big gamble.
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      Aftre successful spells in charge at Swansea and the Seagulls he lasted only eight months at Stamford Bridge.
      Notorious spending sprees only appeared to make his plight worse.
      And he departed the Bridge with their lowest points-per-game return of any Chelsea manager.
      In total he lost 11 of his 31 games in the hotseat.
      And a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa as he left on April 2 this year with the Blues 11th in the Prem.
      Ten Hag has endured a frustrating season so far with United suffering their worst league start since 1989, after losing four of their first seven games.
      Old Trafford could be set for big changes when Ratcliffe moves inCredit: PA More

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      Ruben Loftus-Cheek reveals he’s ‘finally free’ at AC Milan after feeling like a ‘caged animal’ at Chelsea in brutal dig

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      RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK has admitted to finally being “free” at AC Milan after feeling like a “caged animal” at Chelsea.The midfielder left the Blues for Italy in the summer after 19 years in their system.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek is thriving at AC MilanCredit: Alamy
      He has since thrived under Stefano Pioli, helping his team to the top of Serie A.
      Loftus-Cheek, 27, has hit the ground running with his new club.
      And such is his popularity there, that he has become the latest cover star of Gazzetta dello Sport’s Sportweek magazine.
      As part of their chat, he revealed: “I love reading, I like books that give inner peace and freedom.”
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      On the subject of freedom when it comes to his football, he then added: “At Chelsea I felt like a caged animal, I didn’t play as much as I wanted and when it happened I played in positions where I couldn’t express myself.
      “Here, however, I have a free mind, I play as a midfielder as I like and it’s like being a child again, when we played without worries.
      “If the whole team has this feeling, great things can be achieved: even winning the championship. We feel like the best.”
      At Chelsea, Loftus-Cheek was often deployed as a right wing-back under previous boss Thomas Tuchel.
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      The former Chelsea star is on the cover of SportweekCredit: instagram @sportweek
      Prior to that, he had frequently been asked to play further forward than his natural midfield berth.
      Loftus-Cheek joined fellow Cobham graduate Fikayo Tomori at the San Siro.
      Opening up about the rest of his new team-mates, he said: “Taken one by one, (Alessandro) Florenzi is the craziest, (Rafael) Leao the most beautiful, Malick Thiaw the one who fights the most, (Yacine) Adli the most elegant, (Mike) Maignan the leader.”
      Ten-cap England international Loftus-Cheek played 155 times for Chelsea, scoring 13 times and laying on 18 assists.
      He has since played seven times in Serie A, scoring one goal and setting up a further two.
      Loftus-Cheek, 27, often played out of position at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      Man City ‘make move to sign £44m-rated centre-back’ despite Pep Guardiola spending £200m on the position in three years

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      MANCHESTER CITY are interested in signing Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini, according to reports.The 19-year-old has impressed for the Serie A side.
      Atalanta star Giorgio Scalvini is attracting plenty of interestCredit: Rex
      Scalvini, 19, was identified as an alternative to Josko Gvardiol in the summer.
      And according to Calciomercato, City remain interested in his services.
      They add that he would be expected to cost around £44million to prise away from Atalanta.
      Scalvini has started nine of his side’s ten games in all competitions so far this term.
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      He has also become an Italy regular, already earning seven caps for the Azzurri.
      City could add him to an impressive pool of centre-backs, having spent over £200m on the position in the last three years.
      Ruben Dias cost £64.5m and Nathan Ake £41m in the summer of 2020.
      While £15m was splashed out on Manuel Akanji last year, and £77m on Gvardiol in August.
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      Man City have forked out on the likes of Ruben Dias and Nathan AkeCredit: Rex
      Should City push to sign Scalvini, they will have to fend off interest from elsewhere.
      Bayern Munich are reportedly eager to bring Scalvini to Germany.
      While Juventus would love to sign Atalanta’s star prospect.
      Scalvini played with Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund last season.
      The Danish forward subsequently moved to Old Trafford for £72m.
      Scalvini went up against Harry Kane on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty More

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      I landed dream move to AC Milan.. Ancelotti thought I was Jehovah’s Witness at airport but said I spoke to God on pitch

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      AN AC MILAN legend made the worst first impression on Carlo Ancelotti… until the very first moment he started playing football in front of him.Milan signed the relatively unknown at the time Ricardo Kaka in 2003 from Sao Paulo in a deal that was questioned by some while others, such as then Juventus executive Luciano Moggi, mocked his name.
      Ex-AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti thought Ricardo Kaka looked like a Jehovah’s WitnessCredit: Getty
      It didn’t get better for then Rossoneri manager Ancelotti when he first saw the playmaker landing in Italy as he wasn’t inspired by his look, which made him look like a “Jehovah’s Witness”.
      The Italian tactician immediately regretted that transfer before the former Brazil international even got the chance to kick a ball at Milanello training ground.
      But the current Real Madrid boss had to eat his words the moment the then 21-year-old got his first touch on the ball.
      The 64-year-old completely changed his tune as he was convinced Milan signed a “phenomenon” that “spoke directly with God”.
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      Ancelotti wrote on his autobiography Preferisco la Coppa: “Kaka landed at Malpensa Airport and I put my head in my hands: Eyeglasses, hair perfectly combed, the face of a good boy.
      “All he was missing was schoolbooks and a snack. My god, we signed a college student. Kaka didn’t look anything like a Brazilian footballer, he reminded me of a Jehovah’s Witness.
      “Moggi started to send shade: ‘With that name in Italy he’s done for. At Juventus we’re all constipated. We don’t pay for Kaka’. It was all in jest but I started to have doubts, maybe Moggi was right, it wouldn’t be the first time.
      “One day, finally, Kaka showed up to training and to adapt to his new surroundings.
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      “The first question I wanted to ask him was, ‘Did you let your mom and dad know you’re skipping school today?’ The security at Milanello could’ve asked to see his ID before letting him in.
      “Then, he stepped on the pitch still jet lagged and all: the heavens opened. With the ball at his feet he was monstrous. I stopped talking simply because I was at a loss for words. Words didn’t even exist for what I was seeing.
      “The Jehovah’s Witness was actually someone who spoke directly with God. And, I’m sure in one of those conversations, they talked about football.
      “In his first challenge in training as a Milanista Kaka found himself in front of [Gennaro] Gattuso, who gave him a terrifying shoulder barge, but Kaka didn’t even lose the ball. Rino [Gattuso] in his own way of encouraging his new teammate said: ‘F**k off’.
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      AC Milan legend Kaka changed Ancelotti’s mind immediately after his first trainingCredit: EPA
      “Then, after keeping the ball, Kaka played a 30-yard pass, taking even [Alessandro] Nesta by surprise who wasn’t able to intercept it.
      “At the end of every training [ex-Milan CEO Adriano] Galliani and I always spoke on the phone so that I could tell him what was going on, and then hear his thoughts.
      “That day I called him: ‘Mr Galliani, I have some news for you’. ‘Good or bad?’ ‘Good. Very good’. ‘Carletto, are you giving your resignation?’ ‘No, I’m staying, because we just signed a phenomenon’.” More