Ivan Rakitic has been forced to issue an apology to Juventus fans after he accidentally used an insulting chant against them when celebrating Luka Modric’s move to Milan.

Croatia international Rakitic retired in July after a career spent with FC Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Al-Shabab and Hajduk Split.

He is good friends with fellow Croatian Modric and posted on Instagram to celebrate this new experience of joining Milan as a free agent.

Modric congratulations included Juventus insult

However, what the former midfielder didn’t realise was that the song he picked to accompany this image of them together was not just in support of Milan, but actively insulting towards Juventus.

When it was pointed out to him, Rakitic removed the offending clip and posted an apology on his Instagram Stories.

“I wish to extend my sincere apologies to the supporters of Juventus. My intention was solely to use a song associated with AC Milan to congratulate my friend Luka Modric, without being aware of the historical context or the lyrics tied to it.

“I had absolutely no desire to offend anyone, least of all a club for which I hold the utmost respect.”

The song was a chant heard regularly in the stadium, ‘Chi non salta e un gobbo Juventino,’ translated as ‘whoever doesn’t jump is a Juventus supporter.’

Gobbo means hunchback and is an insulting term used to describe Juve fans.

 

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More details are emerging on the new Milan offer for Ardon Jashari that convinced Club Brugge, namely €33.5m plus €2m of easy to achieve bonuses and €2.5m that are tougher to activate.

The first to report a breakthrough this evening in the long-standing negotiations was Belgian transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri.

He was quickly followed by Daniele Longo, who has come up with more precise details of what changed in the offer.

How Milan and Jashari broke Club Brugge resistance

It must be noted that it is not just the new Milan terms, but also the added pressure from Jashari, who asked to be released for this transfer to San Siro.

The latest bid had been turned down at €32.5m plus €5.5m in add-ons to reach a total of €38m.

According to Calciomercato.com Milan transfer pundit Longo, the new offer put forward today is a fixed fee of €33.5m.

Another €2m is guaranteed as long as the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League just once in the next five seasons.

There are also a further €2.5m in bonuses that are harder to activate.

Along with Ardon Jashari, Milan are also reported to be closing on an agreement with Young Boys for Zachary Athekame, offering €8m plus add-ons, confirming Alfredo Pedullà’s story.

The Rossoneri are really pushing hard to complete the squad for coach Max Allegri after returning to Italy from their pre-season tour.

Athekame ready for Milan transfer

According to multiple sources including Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sport Italia, they have made a fresh proposal to Swiss team Young Boys.

The asking price had dropped to €10m, and a €7m offer was rejected, so the latest bid is believed to be worth €8m plus add-ons.

They trust it will be sufficient to sign Athekame, especially as the player has made it clear to his employers that he only wants to join Milan.

The 20-year-old right-back can also play in a more advanced role and was linked with Bologna and Udinese too.

Last season, he contributed one goal and three assists in 43 competitive games for Young Boys.

There are reports in Belgium and Italy that Milan have finally agreed a deal with Club Brugge for Ardon Jashari for €33.5m plus €4.5m in add-ons.

According to transfer experts Sacha Tavolieri and Daniele Longo, the two clubs talked again this afternoon and reached a significant breakthrough.

Part of that was, in the view of MilanNews, a change in the payment terms that ensured Club Brugge would get their cash quicker than previously anticipated.

It is therefore possible they agreed to reformulate the offer to a larger part in fixed fee and smaller figure set aside for bonuses.

Calciomercato.com put those figures at €33.5m fixed fee and €4.5m add-ons, so the total remains €38m.

Jashari only wanted Milan

The matter has been dragging on for weeks and the player intervened personally to beg for them to shake hands on this move.

It comes after an offer worth €38m including add-ons was rejected, much to the anger of the midfielder and his entourage, who felt this was more than adequate.

The Switzerland international turned 23 last week and promised to snub other offers from the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea and the Saudi Pro League.

He had his heart set on Milan, having become a supporter during a childhood visit to San Siro for a Champions League fixture.

Hundreds of Milan fans crowded in the street to see new signing Luka Modric, who threw his shirt down to the supporters.

The midfielder held his presentation press conference this afternoon and you can read his comments here.

After that, he was taken to the club’s flagship store in Via Dante to meet the fans, and they turned up in their droves.

They packed out the street below the window and sang the Croatian’s name as they waited for him to pop his head out of the window.

He held up his Number 14 jersey and threw out a few of them to the waiting crowd before stepping down to meet some of them in person, sign autographs and pose for selfies.

Milan fans give Modric a memorable reception

𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐚. 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐜. 𝟏𝟒. 𝐀𝐂. 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧.

Alberto Mangili per https://t.co/jlTDBgF49e#Milan #milanpress pic.twitter.com/hO3RwSj9JE

— MilanPress.it (@MilanPress_it) August 4, 2025

𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗢 𝗗𝗜 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗖

Store del Milan preso d’assalto dai tifosi rossoneri per incontrare il campione croato pic.twitter.com/Eux0oUOHpW

— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) August 4, 2025

#Modric14 pic.twitter.com/HsfktOpxmp

— Daniele Longo (@86_longo) August 4, 2025

𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲: 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗶 𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗼𝘀𝗶 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗶

Alberto Mangili per https://t.co/jlTDBgF49e#Modric #Milan #milanpress pic.twitter.com/YYOKHZjYrj

— MilanPress.it (@MilanPress_it) August 4, 2025

Milan have officially sent Christian Comotto to Spezia on loan, but there is still no all clear from Warren Bondo for Cremonese.

As predicted, the Rossoneri have loaned 17-year-old midfielder Comotto to Spezia until the end of the season, having previously extended his contract to June 2028.

There is no option to make this move permanent.

Milan frustrated by Bondo refusal

Meanwhile, Milan are still waiting for Bondo to accept a similar structure for the loan to newly promoted Serie A side Cremonese.

It would be a dry loan, meaning no option to buy, with Cremonese covering his entire salary and perhaps even adding a few bonuses in too.

However, the former Monza midfielder is still not open to accepting the transfer and it remains to be seen if the growing pressure will make a dent in his position.

Set to turn 22 next month, Bondo cost €10m plus up to another €5m in add-ons to sign from Monza in February 2025.

He made only five competitive appearances in the Rossoneri jersey for a total 164 minutes of football.

Luka Modric reveals why he has supported Milan since childhood and hopes to follow in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s footsteps. ‘We mustn’t be content just with qualifying for the Champions League.’

The veteran midfielder turns 40 next month, but after 13 years at Real Madrid where he won it all including the Ballon d’Or, he wanted one last challenge.

It was also a childhood dream come true, having supported the Rossoneri since becoming enamoured with the style of his Croatian hero Zvonimir Boban.

“I grew up watching Italian football and Milan was my favourite team in Italy, especially as they had my idol Boban, so I always had a particular affection for the Rossoneri,” he revealed in his presentation press conference.

“I used to talk to Boban about Milan whenever we met up. I saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Carlo Ancelotti also spoke highly about Milan. I always had this very positive impression of the club and its fans. The welcome I received was remarkable.”

He signed a one-year contract with an option to extend to June 2027.

Modric supported AC Milan since childhood

This event was delayed because he had to finish his Real Madrid commitments in the FIFA Club World Cup, then go on a three week vacation before starting pre-season training today.

“We remember Milan as one of the best teams in the world. We mustn’t be content just with a mediocre season or qualifying for the Champions League.

“That is my vision of Milan, but we must also be humble, work hard to get the team back to the highest level. I am very competitive and I want to bring this to the team.

“The minimum objective is to qualify for the Champions League, but Milan must also fight to win trophies. It is my objective, and must be for anyone who works at Milan.”

They finished last term with a trophy, the Supercoppa Italiana, but lost the Coppa Italia Final to Bologna and failed to qualify for any UEFA tournament.

This will at least give new coach Max Allegri time to work with his players in training throughout the week and focus all their energy on Serie A.

“I can offer my experience. I will work hard, give my all and try to do the same things that I did elsewhere,” continued Modric.

“I know there are big expectations around me, but I am ready for that. I cannot wait to start this challenge. I watch a lot of Serie A, also because there are so many Croatian players, and I always enjoyed Italian football. It is very competitive and getting back to the era where it was the best tournament in the world.

“The teams are really well-organised and this makes it different to LaLiga. I must adapt quickly to this style of football. I can’t wait to get to meet Allegri, he is one of the best coaches in the world, a winner.”

Milan director of sport Igli Tare flew to Croatia in order to personally present the project to Modric, a gesture that further intrigued him.

“It was a very easy choice once Tare called and when he came to Croatia, it showed how much Milan really believed I could still perform at the highest level. That was a turning point for me,” confessed the player.

“I needed time to talk to my family, but in my heart I already knew this was the best choice. I saw the faith they had in me.”

Although Modric turns 40 in September, the last player of that age to represent Milan was Ibrahimovic, and he won the Scudetto.

“I hope something similar can happen, I’d be very happy,” he replied.

Among the highlights for a dismal campaign last year was a Champions League victory away to Real Madrid.

“Clearly, last season did not go well for Milan, but that is in the past now. We must work hard and look to the future with confidence. If Milan play the way they did at the Bernabeu last season, we must understand why they couldn’t always play like that. It means the level of quality is high and we need to keep it like that constantly.”

Ivan Rakitic wrote on social media that Milan are ‘so lucky to have’ Modric, but the Croatian legend feels differently.

“I am lucky to be part of this enormous club like Milan, and I take nothing for granted. I do not see myself as someone special, I am just a normal guy who likes to play football and am fortunate enough to play for a big club like Milan.

“I can’t wait to start this new adventure, I am fired up and hope it can go along with my expectations. It is a great sensation to be able to help the team, but one player cannot do anything by himself, no matter what his name is. We must create a team, within which the individuals can give their best,” concluded Modric.

Newcastle United have reportedly resumed their pursuit of Malick Thiaw, but face two further hurdles from Milan, including a Premier League price hike.

It has been a rather difficult summer for the defender, who already rejected a transfer that had been agreed with Como, then seemed uninterested in the Magpies either.

He was determined to either remain and fight for his place under new coach Max Allegri at San Siro, or return to the Bundesliga.

Thiaw back on Newcastle United radar

Now transfer pundit Matteo Moretto claims via Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel that Newcastle United are back asking after his availability.

There are two big problems that have developed since the first approach, though.

The first is that Thiaw has impressed Allegri during pre-season training and Milan are not quite as eager to sell as they had been previously.

The other, as pointed out by MilanNews, is that Premier League clubs have a reputation for spending big and therefore the asking price is boosted when doing business with them.

It means the €25m offer from Como that had been accepted by the Rossoneri, but not by the player, is no longer sufficient.

If Newcastle United want to do a deal, they are going to have to pay around €35m instead.

That money could then be used to reinvest in Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, who would cost around €40m.

The Alvaro Morata saga might finally be coming to an end with reports Como intervened to offer €3m to Galatasaray, helping to break the Milan loan impasse.

The striker agreed personal terms almost two months ago and has been increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress for this return to Serie A.

The problem is that he joined Galatasaray on loan in January for €6m with an obligation to buy in January 2026 for a further €8m.

Galatasaray want Morata golden handshake payment

Now the Turkish team is demanding a big payment to interrupt that agreement, release him back to Milan so that he can then join Como.

According to Calciomercato.com, the breakthrough can be achieved if Como help Milan to pay that penalty, so President Mirwan Suwarso is stepping in to propose €3m.

That can reduce Milan’s payment to just €5-6m so that everyone can be satisfied with the outcome.

Como coach Cesc Fabregas is eager to work with Morata, who turns 33 in October and brings valuable experience to what is otherwise a largely young team.

Milan had only purchased the Spaniard from Atletico Madrid for €13m in July 2024.

Warren Bondo is on the verge of joining newly-promoted Serie A side Cremonese on loan for the 2025-26 season, which is partly due to the breakdown in negotiations between the Rossoneri and Napoli for Yunus Musah, according to Monday’s reports. 

Milan allow Bondo to leave six months after joining from Monza

Bondo moved to San Siro from nearby Monza in a deal worth a reported €10m in the final hours of the winter transfer window, arriving at the same time as former loanees Joao Felix and Riccardo Sottil. 

However, just six months and four Serie A appearances into his Milan tenure, Bondo is close to leaving on a season-long loan deal. 

Cremonese are set to secure the 21-year-old’s services on a straight loan deal with no options to buy included, as Milan still rate the France youth international highly and see him playing a bigger role in the first-team later down the line, according to Calciomercato.com. 

Part of the reason why Milan are willing to let Bondo leave on loan just six months after they sign him is due to the healthy competition in Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield ranks. 

This summer has brought the arrivals of former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, plus Italy international Samuele Ricci, adding to a department that already included Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Bondo, and, Milan are still targeting the signing of Club Brugge’s Ardon Jashari. 

Monday’s report claims that Bondo might have been kept in and around the Milan first team for the 2025-26 season had it not been for the breakdown in talks between the Rossoneri and Napoli for Musah, who currently looks set to stay on under Allegri. 

Luka Modric is set to arrive in Milan on Monday and begin his first contractual obligations as a new Rossoneri player following his departure from Real Madrid after 13 years earlier this summer. 

When will Modric begin life with Milan?

The veteran midfielder has signed a one-year contract with Milan, but has not yet teamed up with the rest of Massimiliano Allegri’s squad, as he was given an extended break following Real Madrid’s run to the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final in July. 

As per Gianluca Di Marzio, Modric is expected to arrive in Milan on Monday, and as reported over the weekend, the 39-year-old is due to speak to the press later in the afternoon, at around 17.00 local time (16.00 BST). 

Modric is then expected to head to the flagship Milan store on Via Dante once his press conference is complete. There, he will take some pictures and is expected to be greeted by a large crowd of supporters. 

Modric is then expected to begin his first physical tests as a Milan player on Tuesday morning at the club’s training ground. Then, in the afternoon, he is set to join in with first-team training for the first time. 

Allegri has given the Milan players three days off following their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, which resulted in a 1-0 loss against Arsenal, an encouraging 4-2 win over Premier League champions Liverpool and a 9-0 hammering of Perth Glory in Australia. 

The Rossoneri have two more pre-season friendlies in their calendar, scheduled for this coming weekend against Leeds United in Dublin and then against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 

The season proper will get underway with a Coppa Italia first round clash at home against Bari on August 17, and then comes a the first Serie A match of the season against newly-promoted Cremonese on August 24.

Monday’s reports claim that Luka Jovic has found a new club after leaving Milan as a free agent at the end of his contract earlier this summer. 

Reports Jovic set to join AEK Athens after Milan

According to reports from Spanish outlet Marca, the former Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid striker is set to sign for AEK Athens of Super League Greece in what will be a free transfer. 

The 27-year-old had multiple options, however, as Real Oviedo, who earned promotion to LaLiga at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, had also been making attempts to bring the Serbia international back to Spain. 

However, as per Marca, Jovic was left unconvinced by the Real Oviedo project, and was much more sold by the idea of joining AEK, who reportedly submitted an offer over the weekend. 

He is now on his way over to Athens to complete the formalities of his move. 

Jovic finished his Milan career with a tally of 13 goals from 47 appearances across all competitions during his two year spell in San Siro. Eight of those came in Serie A, four in the Coppa Italia and one in the Champions League.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

‘Scudetto, Juve is there’ 

Interview with Bremer 

Advising Neymar to finish here with me 

Returning more nasty, Yildiz is our Yamal 

Weah to Marseille, 18 million for the market 

Lookman sticks his elbow in 

Final sprint 

‘Treated badly, I’m leaving’ 

Atalanta problem, Inter waiting 

Baresi’s battle 

The Milan legend battles illness 

Corriere dello Sport

‘Free me’ 

Lookman: Only Inter 

‘Treated badly: I want to leave Atalanta’

Accuses La Dea: ‘Months of broken promises, I am loyal’

Tough message from Ademola on Instagram ‘There was an agreement, let me go for a fair offer: It arrived, but the club are blocking this opportunity. I don’t understand why’

Juventus account: 106 million 

That’s the figure spent on redeeming five players 

The Bianconeri have only bought in David for free and Joao Mario for 12.6 million, but are in the top 10 squads in the world by investment over the last two years 

Napoli, De Bruyne is the light 

KO against Brest (1-2) 

Milan between Jashari and Athekame 

Duel meetings with Brugge and Young Boys

Roma, table for three 

Echeverri threatens Nene, and Fabio Silva: What a sprint 

Tuttosport 

‘Everything changes now’ 

Bremer as Juve leader 

‘How great to be back: I was afraid on the pitch, after the first tackles, it was over. Yes, last year was lacking in a bit of leadership, but it will be different now. And Tudor helps that’. Marseille await Weah: Advancing for Martinez from Girona 

Franco Baresi: Forza! Not just Milan with you

The ‘Kaiser’ operated on for a pulmonary nodule

The whole football world is with the honorary Rossonero vice-President. ‘It’s going to take me a little while to get back on form’

Simeone: Preparing for the Toro-Napoli meeting 

New contacts: Cholito has already given his ‘yes’ to the Granata

Total rupture between Lookman and Atalanta 

‘Why aren’t you selling me?’ 

‘I’ve given everything here, also as a person. Broken promises’. The Dea supporters ‘betrayed’. Inter wait for him 

Milan have reportedly set a deadline of Monday to reach a breakthrough with Club Brugge for Ardon Jashari or turn to Valencia’s Javi Guerra instead.

The Rossoneri feel they have reached their maximum bid of €38m including add-ons, but the Belgians continue to demand more.

The player himself is determined to come to San Siro and insists Club Brugge had promised to let him leave if there was a proposal worth €32.5m plus bonuses.

He has now requested a meeting with his bosses to force through the transfer, but Milan are fast running out of patience.

Milan hoping for Jashari turning point

According to the Corriere dello Sport, the deadline is Monday for there to be a breakthrough or they will turn towards Plan B.

The name of the alternative candidate is Javi Guerra, the 22-year-old Spaniard who came up through the Valencia youth academy.

He had also been linked with Manchester United and remains on their radar, while Valencia are also hoping to lock him down to a new contract.

This is another reason why Milan cannot afford to wait around much longer, or they will lose out on their second choice too.

Milan are on the verge of securing a deal for Young Boys right-back Zachary Athekame, working non-stop to shake hands for €7-8m plus add-ons to reach the €10m asking price.

This is not a done deal yet, so we must wait before celebrating, but he really is close to the all clear.

Young Boys were in no rush to sell, but since Milan stepped forward, it was Athekame who was pushing to leave, seeing it as an opportunity he could not give up.

Athekame a far more affordable alternative

The initial asking price had been €10m plus bonuses, but now the agreement could be reached for a total figure of €10m including those add-ons.

Both parties are constantly at work building on the foundations of €7-8m plus performance-related bonuses.

It is an enormous difference compared to the valuation of Guela Doué, with Strasbourg demanding €30m until it prompted Milan to turn elsewhere.

Now they are close to that alternative target, ready to secure Athekame.

Milan have agreed the sale of youth team and Italy Under-19 talent Mattia Liberali to Catanzaro, keeping a 50 per cent cut of the sell-on fee.

The versatile attacking midfielder only turned 18 in April, but is already a regular for the Italy Under-19 side with 10 caps, scoring four goals.

A product of the Milan youth academy, he was supposed to step into the Under-23 team this season, but their relegation to Serie D made that inadvisable.

Liberali would have no playing time at Milan

He had been working with new coach Max Allegri and the senior squad during pre-season.

Instead, they have decided to sell him to Serie B club Catanzaro, where he should be able to get more regular playing time against stronger opposition.

According to Calciomercato.com, both clubs have signed and exchanged the documentation, so he just needs to undergo a medical and sign the contract.

Although this is a permanent transfer for practically nothing, Milan retain a 50 per cent cut of the future sale fee.

Liberali’s contract had only been due to run at San Siro until June 2026.

Milan and Italy legend Franco Baresi has undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and will begin a course of immunotherapy.

The 65-year-old is still working with the Rossoneri as an Honorary Vice President, which is why the club released a formal statement on his situation.

He was found to have a pulmonary nodule, which was removed with a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and his recovery has been free of complications.

An oncology specialist suggested a consolidative course of immunotherapy.

Baresi to begin immunotherapy treatment

Milan also passed on a message from Baresi himself.

“Dear fans, I just want to let you know that it will take me a little time to get back to full strength. Thank you to AC Milan and to all of you for your support. A big hug, with affection.”

He turned 65 in May and was a truly one-club man in his playing career, going from the Milan youth academy to the senior squad in 1977 and remaining there until his retirement in July 1997.

The central defender made 716 competitive appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring 33 goals and providing 24 assists.

He won three European Cups, six Serie A titles, three UEFA Super Cups, four Italian Super Cups and two editions of the Intercontinental Cup.

Baresi was also a legend for Italy, amassing 81 senior caps, participating in the 1982 World Cup winning campaign.

Sunday’s reports claim that Milan have settled on Young Boys defender Zachary Athekame at right-back and that the Rossoneri are expecting to close a deal with the Swiss outfit in the near future. 

Milan, who sent Kyle Walker back to Manchester City after his loan spell, and have since sold Emerson Royal to Flamengo, are on the hunt for a new right-back to compete and rotate with the versatile Alex Jimenez. 

The Rossoneri had initially explored a deal for Strasbourg’s Guela Doue, the elder brother of PSG star Desire Doue, but were reportedly put off by the requested €30m price tag for the Frenchman. 

That has left Igli Tare and the Rossoneri recruitment team exploring alternative options. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the search has landed on Athekame. 

Reports Milan closing in on Athekame deal

The Pink Paper claims that Milan submitted an offer of €7m for the 20-year-old right-back on Saturday. 

The Switzerland youth international, who is of Nigerian descent, has also been subject of interest from Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna and Kosta Runjaic’s Udinese. 

Milan, however, are confident that they will be able to strike a deal with Young Boys in the near future.

La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the Swiss side will request a slightly higher fee than the €7m that has been offered, but that there is not a massive gap between the bid and the asking price.