Legendary midfielder emerges as frontrunner for Italy job, Cristian Romero linked with Serie A switch - Euro Transfer News
By Sanjay Suri
Published 24/07/2026 at 18:43 GMT+1
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Andrea Pirlo has emerged as favourite to take over the Italy job, following rejections from Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, while Cristian Romero looks set to move to Internazionale. Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah and Lucas Perri also look Italy-bound.
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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Juventus manager is set to land the job as his mindset aligns with the selectors, saying "to demand that experienced and strong-willed coaches like [Antonio] Conte or [Roberto] Mancini 'think like them' is practically a fantasy."
Pirlo, 47, was approached after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti both reportedly rejected the job, with the latter having committed his future to Brazil until the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Since retiring as a player in 2017, Pirlo oversaw the end of Juventus’ run of nine consecutive Scudetti, while he also failed to secure promotion back to Serie A with Sampdoria.
He has spent the last year with second-tier Dubai United, leading them to a second-placed finish and promotion to the UAE Pro League.
Gennaro Gattuso departed Italy in April, after the four-time World Cup winners failed to qualify for the tournament for the third consecutive edition, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the play-offs.
Romero’s agent spotted in Milan
The agent of Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero has been spotted in Milan, amid rumours that the World Cup finalist might be on his way to Internazionale.
According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, the Argentine's agent, Ciro Palermo, was pictured in Milan as Romero looks for a move away from North London as "negotiations with Inter are heating up, as revealed on July 1st, the club is trying to make progress with Tottenham."
The 28-year-old is also reportedly wanted by Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, while Spurs have slapped a £50 million price tag on the defender, claims Longari.
Romero missed the end of the Premier League season as Spurs survived on the final day, while Roberto De Zerbi has already recruited Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi to bolster the heart of their defence.
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Como in negotiations for Trevoh Chalobah
Another Premier League defender who might be moving to Italy is Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, who is supposedly wanted by Cesc Fabregas’ Como.
Sky Sport Italia, via Football Italia, reported that Chelsea have rejected a second bid, worth around €25m (£21m) plus €5m in bonuses, for the 27-year-old.
It said: "There had already been reports this morning that a new proposal had been made, a significant step after Inter backed away from their pursuit."
Chelsea are holding out for a €35m (£30m) package, with Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace set to move to West London for £52m.
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Chalobah was called up to the England squad last month to replace the injured Tino Livramento, and made his World Cup debut in the dying embers of the 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off.
He still has two years left on his contract, with an option to extend by another year, and Internazionale were also linked with the versatile defender, but have since withdrawn their interest, according to Football Italia.
Perri bound for Torino, paving way for Trafford move
Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri looks set for a move to Torino, amid rumours that James Trafford might be arriving at Elland Road from Manchester City.
Perri played 16 Premier League matches for Leeds last season, sharing the gloves with Karl Darlow. However, Fabrizio Romano reports that he is on his way out, saying "final details are being sorted."
Should this move be completed, it would feasibly free up the Yorkshire side to move for out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Before his move to Leeds, the Brazilian had featured for Brazilian outfits Botafogo, Sao Paulo and Nautico, as well as Lyon.
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