Juve eye Segunda revelation, Roma track Leverkusen teen, Inter stick to Bastoni valuation: Monday briefing

Turin, Monday – While Italian football digests the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and icon Gianluigi Buffon, the market never sleeps. Juventus have taken the first concrete step toward a potential summer coup, dispatching scouts to Spain to run the rule over Valladolid’s 2004-born winger Iván San José Cantalejo. The left-footed attacker, whose contract expires in June, has posted 7 goals and 8 assists in Segunda División this season and has already decided against renewing terms. Competition is mounting: Serie A and Bundesliga clubs are monitoring the situation, but Juve’s in-person check signals serious intent.

Across the peninsula, Milan are closing in on a defensive cornerstone. Fikayo Tomori’s current deal runs until 2027; negotiations are now advanced on a three-year extension through 2030. The England centre-back earns €3.5 million net and is poised for a modest wage bump plus performance-related bonuses once the paperwork is signed.

Inter, meanwhile, continue to field enquiries for Alessandro Bastoni. Barcelona maintain contact with the player’s camp, yet the Nerazzurri have yet to open formal discussions with the Catalan club. The message from headquarters is clear: the €50 million already floated will not suffice to prise the Italy international away.

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is applying similar resolve to Romelu Lukaku’s future. With Saudi, Turkish and Belgian suitors circling—Anderlecht are described as willing to roll out the red carpet—De Laurentiis is adamant he will not sanction a free transfer. Lukaku was signed for €30 million and still carries a €6 million residual book value; any deal must protect the club’s balance sheet.

Roma have entered the race for 2007-born Bosnian talent Alen Alajbegovic. Bayer Leverkusen paid Salzburg €8 million last month to secure the winger outright, yet the player will remain in Austria through the spring. Leverkusen will then decide whether to integrate or cash in on the teenager, with a fee of around €20 million expected to test suitors. Roma have already positioned themselves at the front of the queue.

Lazio’s investment strategy is centred on growth potential. Midfielder Kenneth Taylor’s contract, freshly penned until 2030, is structured so that his €1.4 million salary will escalate in annual increments, potentially reaching €3.4 million by the final year. The built-in raises reflect Lazio’s confidence that the Dutchman’s performances will justify the outlay.

Fiorentina received a double fitness boost ahead of their mid-week fixture: Jonathan Ikoné Gudmundsson is set to start against Verona, while winger Manor Solomon—recently recovered from a muscle complaint—is available off the bench. Full-back Dodo trained partially with the group, and striker Moise Kean has returned to availability after international duty.

With the league resumption looming, Italy’s top clubs are balancing short-term needs against long-term planning, ensuring the rumour mill keeps churning even as the federation searches for new leadership.