Latest news with #CoppaItalia
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Galatasaray Strike Verbal Agreement With Inter Milan & Turkey Midfielder
Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has reportedly agreed to join reigning Super Lig title holders Galatasaray. Per Turkish outlet Sabah via FCInterNews, the parties have reached an 'agreement in principle.' Advertisement The future of Hakan Calhanoglu was among the major talking points last summer. However, he eventually knocked back Bayern Munich's approach to pledge his loyalty to Inter. Fast forward one year, the 31-year-old is on the verge of a sensational move to Turkey, with Galatasaray poised to seal the deal. Galatasaray Reach Verbal Agreement with Inter Milan Ace Hakan Calhanoglu MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Coppa Italia, Quarter Final match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Despite never playing in his homeland, Calhanoglu is keen to make his mark in Istanbul. Therefore, Galatasaray have taken advantage of the player's will and could soon open talks with Inter. But despite offering the ex-AC Milan playmaker a pharaonic contract, they are unwilling to splash out a fortune on the transfer fee. Indeed, Inter have named a €40 million price tag on Calhanoglu and won't budge on it. Meanwhile, Galatasaray would only go as far as €20m to get the deal over the line.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex Inter Milan Head Coach Accepted Al-Hilal Proposal Despite Being Second Choice
Ex Inter Milan Head Coach Accepted Al-Hilal Proposal Despite Being Second Choice Simone Inzaghi swapped Inter Milan for Al-Hilal earlier this month, even though his family urged him to reconsider his options. Per La Repubblica via FCInterNews, the 49-year-old wasn't even the Saudi Pro League runners-up first choice. Advertisement Indeed, Al-Hilal had hoped to lure ex-Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to the desert. However, one of the most decorated managers in world football chose the Brazil national team. Therefore, Al-Hilal had to act quickly, with Simone Inzaghi emerging as an ideal fallback option. Simone Inzaghi Left Inter Milan to Join Al-Hilal Against His Family's Will MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: FC Internazionale coach Simone Inzaghi looks on before the Coppa Italia, Quarter Final match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) A night before a crunch meeting between Beppe Marotta and Inzaghi, the coach's family tried to convince him to reject a move to Asia. Indeed, the same report says his wife, Gaia, and father, Giancarlo, urged him to change his mind. However, Al-Hilal's offer was too significant to be neglected. Advertisement Therefore, Inzaghi informed Inter of his decision to switch to Saudi Arabia the following day. Meanwhile, Inter refused to stay in his way, especially after an embarrassing loss in the Champions League final.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Why Lennon Miller won't sign for Celtic despite being 'perfect' transfer revealed by Motherwell hero
The Fir Park teenager picked up his first Scotland caps and is set to bank his club a big fee this summer Lennon Miller has been labelled the perfect signing for Celtic's midfield. But former Motherwell star Ross McCormack has revealed why he doesn't think the talented teen would make the move to Brendan Rodgers' side as he shared the 'noises' he's been hearing over his next step. The Fir Park top talent is set to net his club a major windfall this summer with his future destined to be away from the club. There has already been interest from Serie A and the Bundesliga while EPL new boys Sunderland have also been mentioned in regards to the new Scotland international. Celtic and Rangers have also both been urged to make their moves by pundits and ex-pros alike across the past few months. McCormack - speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard - revealed from what he is hearing that his likely step will be to move abroad and after watching international team-mates in Serie A winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia he admits it would be hard to blame him. He explained: "I've said it for quite a while that I think he would be perfect in Celtic's midfield. "But from all the noises that I have heard - sort of people who are in and around Motherwell and all that - seems to be that he is going to be going abroad. "To be honest with you, it is hard to blame the kid. "When he sees the success your Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour's are having over in Serie A, he might just want a piece of that and sort of get out of the limelight which Glasgow would bring. "For me, he would be absolutely tremendous for Celtic." Talk then turned to whether his decision would be based on game-time after being the main man at Motherwell, McCormack continued: "No player can go to any club in the world and be guaranteed to start. That is just impossible and doesn't happen. "But what he will be looking at - and what John said [caller] is the big, big problem for Celtic if they do want him. "[Reo] Hatate is in there and is one of their most influential players when he is at it. Callum McGregor is the captain and the other one is Arne Engels. And by the way I would favour Lennon Miller over, but they paid £11million for him. "So is he going to get into that midfield right away? Probably not. "I think that is the reason why Lennon Miller would not choose Celtic." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Turkey Captain ‘Not Untouchable' But Inter Milan Won't Let Him Go For Peanuts
Report – Turkey Captain 'Not Untouchable' But Inter Milan Won't Let Him Go For Peanuts Inter Milan do not consider Galatasaray target Hakan Calhanoglu untouchable and are open to negotiating his potential departure. However, per Corriere dello Sport via FCInterNews, they'll only do so under their own terms. Advertisement Indeed, Hakan Calhanoglu could end his four-year association with the Nerazzurri in the coming weeks. Despite turning down Bayern Munich last year, the 31-year-old could leave the San Siro this summer. Meanwhile, Galatasaray have prepared a massive contract offer to tempt him to move to Istanbul. Inter Milan Willing to Negotiate Hakan Calhanoglu Sale MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Coppa Italia, Quarter Final match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Although Inter would reluctantly offload the ex-AC Milan midfielder, he won't go cheap. Instead, any interested club would need to table a bid in the region of €40 million to get Inter's go-ahead. That's a price tag that could blow Galatasaray out of the water. Advertisement However, Inter cannot afford to lose Calhanoglu for peanuts, knowing any potential replacement would cost a fortune. Indeed, Lazio's Nicolo Rovella is the leading candidate to fill the gap. Yet, there's a substantial €50m release clause in play. Moreover, Torino star Samuele Ricci commands a significant price tag, not to mention fierce competition from other Serie A clubs.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I beat up ex-Liverpool star who didn't like Jurgen Klopp in training'
Mario Balotelli spent one full season at Liverpool, scoring one league goal, but the striker was not impressed by Jurgen Klopp in their short time working together Mario Balotelli endured one of the worst spells of his career at Liverpool. He spent a single season with the Reds under Brendan Rodgers before being loaned out and was unimpressed by Jurgen Klopp upon his return to Anfield. It was not the first time that Balotelli had encountered issues at a club. Earlier in his career, the striker had gotten on the wrong side of Inter Milan team-mate Marco Materazzi during their treble-winning season, with the defender later revealing that he made sure to rough him up in training. Liverpool signed Balotelli as Luis Suarez's replacement in 2014. He failed to emulate his predecessor, scoring just one league goal before joining AC Milan on loan. At the end of his loan spell, Balotelli was greeted by new manager Klopp. However, Balotelli was unmoved by the former Borussia Dortmund boss and later expressed his regret at signing for Liverpool. 'I joined Liverpool. It was the worst mistake of my life,' Balotelli told Canal Plus after scoring twice on his Nice debut. 'Apart from the fans, who were fantastic with me, I must be honest, and the players, who I had a good rapport with, I didn't like the club. 'I had two coaches, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. As people they didn't make a good impression on me. I didn't get along with them.' Delving deeper into his lack of relationship with Klopp, Balotelli later said he had only spoken with the Liverpool boss briefly before leaving for France. "Klopp doesn't know me, I spoke to him once, he told me to go somewhere else, work hard and then return," Balotelli told Sky Italia."So I said goodbye to them, and that we wouldn't be seeing each other again.' Balotelli forged his reputation as a complex character during his early days at Inter Milan. He may have been a teenager, but Balotelli still managed to rile experienced defender Materazzi during Inter's dream season. Under Jose Mourinho, Balotelli scored 11 goals in all competitions as Inter won the 2010 Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia. However, the forward had thrown his shirt to the ground after the team's first leg win over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals. Intent on letting Balotelli see the error of his ways, Materazzi ensured he was lined up against him in training. 'I gave him a good beating, it's true", Materazzi said on Instagram, as per the Daily Mail. 'I love Mario, but he really deserved it that day. 'We've become friends again now, practically brothers, but he did something that day that he really should not have done. Throwing his shirt to the ground after the final whistle wasn't even the worst of it. 'Before the game, on the team bus, he told us, 'Today I'm going to play badly,' so I promised to make him pay if he did. When he came off the bench, he tried a shot from midfield rather than going on the counter. Diego Milito wanted to kill him. 'We believed in Mario, he scored many goals and contributed to the victory, but a week after that, I asked Mourinho to put me against Balotelli in the training ground games between ranks. After a few seconds, I'd sent him back to the dressing room.' Balotelli signed for Manchester City later that summer, reuniting with former Inter boss Roberto Mancini. He was part of the Manchester City team that clinched the Premier League title in unforgettable fashion on the final day of the 2011/12 season. Earlier in that campaign, he had revealed his famous 'Why always me?' T-shirt after opening the scoring in City's 6-1 win over Manchester United, referencing his ability to create headlines on and off the pitch. Since leaving Liverpool in 2016, Balotelli has had spells in France, Italy, Turkey and Switzerland. The 34-year-old spent this season at Genoa, but injury limited him to just six league appearances.
