OLD FRIENDS: LUKA MODRIC'S INFLUENCE KEY IN MILAN'S SUMMER GOALKEEPER PURSUIT OF ANDRIY LUNIN
AC Milan is intensely pursuing Real Madrid backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, with veteran star Luka Modric expected to play a key role in convincing his former teammate to move to Italy
Luka Modric, the old Real Madrid midfielder, is doing great in his first season in Italy. He joined Milan as a free agent after the Club World Cup. Even though he turned 40 in September, he's helped Milan compete for the title.
After scoring one goal and assisting twice this season on top of his solid play, Milan wants his help in another area.
The Italian team has its eyes on a Real Madrid player for the summer. They're hoping Modric can convince the Real Madrid star to join him in Milan. This transfer could happen because they might lose a current starting player.
Milan Wants Real Madrid Goalkeeper With Modric's Help
Reports from Tuttosport (via MilanNews) say Milan is very interested in getting Real Madrid's backup goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian played with Modric for quite some time at Madrid, and Milan thinks he can help convince Lunin to come to Italy.
There's a good chance Milan will need a new main goalkeeper next season because Mike Maignan, their current starter, might leave. The Frenchman's contract ends after this season, and it's expected he won't sign a new one.
Milan is still trying to negotiate a contract extension. But they've started making a list of possible replacements, with Lunin as their top choice.
The 26-year-old was almost transferred this past summer, as he wanted to play regularly. But he was reportedly happy in Madrid, even as Thibaut Courtois' backup. Now that Courtois has signed a new deal until 2027, Lunin might think 2026 is the right time to move on.
If Maignan leaves Milan, Lunin could become the main goalkeeper. When the Ukrainian has filled in for Courtois, he's shown he can be a consistent starter at a high level. That's why big clubs asked about him this summer.
Manchester United and Aston Villa had some talks, looking to get new goalkeepers. They probably won't be looking again unless Emi Martinez leaves Villa after this season. That means Milan might get Lunin without much competition, and with Modric's help, they could get him.
MARCO PALESTRA REFUSES TO LET INTER RUMORS DISTRACT FROM CAGLIARI’S RELEGATION BATTLE
Marco Palestra addresses Inter Milan rumours. Read why the Atalanta loanee is prioritising Cagliari's safety.
Marco Palestra isn’t shutting the door on a move to Inter this summer, but right now, his mind’s on one thing: saving Cagliari’s spot in Serie A. “We’ll see in the summer,” he said.
This season’s been a bit of a whirlwind for him. At just 21, he’s made a serious name for himself, breaking through during his loan at Cagliari and earning his first runs with Italy’s national team. Sure, the World Cup play-off loss in Bosnia still stings for everyone, but it hasn’t stopped the buzz around Palestra’s future.
He’s still under contract at Atalanta until 2029, but after his performances, clubs have started circling, especially Inter, who look set to take the league. At an event in Coverciano on Monday, reporters pressed him about his plans. Palestra kept it close to the chest, just saying it’s flattering to hear big clubs are interested, and he’ll figure it out in the summer.
“I honestly didn’t imagine this at the start of the season,” Palestra said. “I was just trying to focus day by day, just trying to get better and not thinking too far ahead.” He still sees room to grow, which makes sense given his age. “Everyone at 21 has a lot to learn. I need to improve in everything, really. I’ve had two seasons now in Serie A, and there’s always more to pick up from my teammates and coach.”
The Inter rumours keep swirling, but when you ask him about it, his answer’s steady: it’s about Cagliari right now. “I’m only thinking about Cagliari. Safety comes first. The rumours are flattering, sure, but we’ll handle all that later.” He echoed it again: “I’m 100% focused on Cagliari. They deserve that. I’ll talk things through with my agents when the season’s done, but I don’t want any distractions right now.”
The sting of Italy missing the World Cup again is still fresh for him. “The loss in Bosnia was a heavy blow for all of us. The days after weren’t easy. But we have to regroup and come back stronger. This group is special, and we’ll help each other recover and improve.”
As for how he handled the disappointment? “It was tough, especially at first. I just stayed home, replaying what went wrong over and over. But I had to snap out of it for Cagliari’s sake. Now, staying up in Serie A is all that matters.”
LUCIANO SPALLETTI OFFICIALLY EXTENDS JUVENTUS TENURE UNTIL 2028 AFTER IMPRESSIVE INTERIM SPELL
Juventus coach Spalletti extends his contract until 2028. Get the latest on the Serie A top-four race and match news.
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti just signed a new two-year deal with the club, capping off a promising six months at the helm.
He broke the news to his players first, right before Friday’s training session. Not long after, Juventus posted a video of Spalletti sharing the update. “I wanted you to hear it from me before anyone else,” he told the squad. “We’ve decided to extend my contract by another two years. I wanted to tell you before the news got out. Honestly, the road ahead looks tough, but I’m convinced we’ll tackle it together. With your character and your fight, we can turn every challenge into something bigger.”
Spalletti took charge back in October, stepping in after Juventus sacked Igor Tudor. Tudor’s departure came after three straight losses and a long, frustrating stretch without a win. At the time, Juventus handed Spalletti an eight-month contract. The word was, he'd get an automatic two-year extension if the team qualified for the Champions League.
Right now, Juventus sits just outside the Champions League spots, one point back from fourth-place Como, with seven games left in the season.
“When I joined seven months ago, the club gave me this short contract,” Spalletti explained. “The idea was simple: let’s give it some time, get to know each other, then decide at the end of the season if we want to keep going.”
Back then, Juventus sat in seventh place, fighting just to stay in Europe. In the Champions League, they were already scrambling to avoid elimination.
Things have improved since Spalletti took over. Juventus has picked up 17 wins, six losses, and eight draws in 31 matches. They managed to push through to the Champions League playoffs, though Galatasaray knocked them out.
Club CEO Damien Comolli praised Spalletti’s impact. “Since joining us, Luciano’s made a real difference on the pitch, around the club, and among our fans,” Comolli said. “He’s exactly the kind of leader we need. His ambitious football matches what we all expect from Juventus, and he stands for what our club’s all about. So, we want to keep going with him. We believe stability and continuity are key to reaching our goals.”
Juventus hasn’t lifted the Serie A trophy since 2020, when they wrapped up a run of nine straight titles.
Before arriving in Turin, Spalletti led Napoli to the Serie A title in 2023, then took charge of Italy’s national team. That stint didn’t go well; he lost his job last June after a shaky start in World Cup qualifying. Now, he’s got another shot to lead a powerhouse club.
