Reports in Italy claim that Patrick Vieira and Genoa already have two ideal candidates in mind to replace Koni De Winter should he end up leaving for either Inter or AFC Bournemouth this window. 

Reports over the last week confirm that Inter and Bournemouth are both interested in picking up former Juventus Next Gen centre-back De Winter in the event that one of their starting centre-halves decide to leave this window. 

For Inter, there had been reports of a Premier League bid for Yann Bisseck, while Bournemouth could lose Illia Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain, on top of the previous sale of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. 

Who could replace De Winter at Genoa? 

If De Winter is sold this summer, Genoa will also find themselves in need of a replacement. 

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, Genoa’s first choice if De Winter leaves would be to sign 25-year-old Jay Idzes, who is expected to be available for transfer following Venezia’s relegation to Serie B at the end of the 2024-25 season. 

The Indonesia international, who took part in 35 out of a possible 38 Serie A matches last season, is expected to be available for a fee in the region of €10m this summer. 

Alternatively, Calciomercato suggests that Genoa could turn to Bologna centre-back Martin Erlic to replace De Winter this summer. 

Bologna are not expected to stand in the Croatian’s way if an appropriate offer comes in, but his signing is seen as somewhat of a risk given the injury struggles that limited him to just eight top-flight appearances last season.

Genoa beat Villarreal 3-1 and lost to Real Oviedo on penalties in their friendly tournament, while Francesco Camarda was not enough for Lecce against the UAE national team.

The pre-season friendlies continue and Genoa were in action for two mini-matches today as part of a three-way tournament in Oviedo.

Genoa victory and Lecce setback

They brushed Villarreal aside 3-1 in the first game, including a truly odd goal from Brooke Norton-Cuffy, who charged down a clearance that ricocheted into the net with the goalkeeper off his line.

Willy Kambwala scored the equaliser for Villarreal, but Vitinha and new signing Albert Gronbaek rounded out the scoreline.

Il Grifone trionfa contro il Villarreal
Ecco tutti i 3 gol #DAZN #Genoa pic.twitter.com/EZGI3N0c2D

— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) July 31, 2025

The Grifone played the second mini-game as a 0-0 draw with hosts Real Oviedo, losing on penalties.

Lecce suffered a 3-1 defeat to the United Arab Emirates national team in their pre-season training camp.

Teenage centre-forward Camarda continues to impress during his loan from Milan, converting a penalty, but Kialonda Gaspar’s foul allowed Alghassani to score from the spot.

Lucas Caio turned in for 2-0 and in the second half Bruno De Oliveira completed the 3-1 result.

Genoa have unveiled their 2025-26 away kit, celebrating the ‘historic bond’ between the club and England: ‘It’s coming home.’

Genoa have dropped their away kit for the 2025-26 campaign, highlighting the historic connection between the club and England.

Genoa 2025-26 away kit – official statement

“The red cross boldly spans the front of the shirt over a clean white background, honouring one of the most enduring symbols of the Republic of Genoa — one that also appears in the club’s crest beside the legendary Griffin,” the Grifone said in a statement.

“This emblem pays homage to a unique heritage: in the Middle Ages, the Republic of Genoa granted England permission to sail under the Cross of St. George in exchange for tribute, forging a centuries-old connection. The kit celebrates that shared history between port cities, football cultures, and flags flown across seas.

La nostra maglia. La nostra storia.

It’s coming home.

Ecco la Kombat Genoa Away 2025/26 https://t.co/bcBG33OAnu pic.twitter.com/wuCCuDTWSA

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) July 30, 2025

“On the back, just below the collar, the red cross appears again, reinforcing the visual and symbolic link with the city. Refined details, including an embossed Griffin and premium finishes, complete a design that highlights the identity of Italy’s oldest football club, founded in 1893 by English citizens as the Genoa Cricket and Football Club.

“The launch campaign deepens this Anglo-Italian connection, with the slogan “It’s coming home” referencing Genoa’s English roots and football’s journey “back” to one of its most historic homes. Part of the campaign was filmed in James Spensley’s London neighbourhood — the club’s founding figure, a doctor and goalkeeper instrumental in the development of football in Italy.

From Genoa to London, the red cross on white.

The Kombat Genoa Away 2025/26 celebrates the roots of football.

It’s coming home. Where it all began.

Acquistala ora https://t.co/bcBG33O2xW pic.twitter.com/G2Hp2HOx4E

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) July 30, 2025

“Shot by acclaimed photographer Sam Gregg, the visuals merge London and Genoa, two cities bound by maritime tradition and sporting legacy. Featured in the campaign is Brooke Norton-Cuffy, fresh from winning the U21 European Championship with England, symbolising the bridge between the club’s English past and its promising present.”

Genoa’s first official games in 2025-26

Genoa, coached by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, will make their 2025-26 Serie A debut at home against Lecce on August 23.

Prior to their opening league game, Genoa will play in the Coppa Italia first round on August 15.

The Grifone finished the 2024-25 season in 13th with 43 points.

pic.twitter.com/idWwC4dm4N

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) July 30, 2025

There were 11 completed transfers in Serie A on Tuesday July 29, including Canadian Ismael Koné to Sassuolo, a double Cremonese deal, and Zakaria Aboukhlal moving to Torino.

Which official transfers were announced in Serie A on July 29, 2025?

Football Italia takes a look at every confirmed move in Italy’s top flight today.

Aboukhlal starts new adventure at Torino

A fresh new talent coming to Serie A is Zakaria Aboukhlal, who arrives on a permanent transfer from Toulouse FC in a deal worth €8m plus €2m in add-ons.

The Morocco international will not be taking up a non-EU slot in the squad, because he also has a Dutch passport.

Koné comes to Sassuolo

Sassuolo made a surprising splash on the transfer market by securing Ismael Koné from Olympique Marseille.

It is a loan deal worth €2.5m with option to buy for a further €10m, becoming an obligation if they maintain their Serie A status at the end of the season.

Marseille are also expected to retain a cut of the sell-on fee for the Canada international.

Another Canadian on the move is Tajon Buchanan, but he has left Inter for the permanent transfer to Villarreal at a cost of circa €9m plus a 20 per cent cut of the sell-on fee.

Cremonese achieved a double swoop with Lecce captain Federico Baschirotto arriving for €3m, while Alessio Zerbin is on loan from Napoli with obligation to buy in case of Serie A safety for €2m plus €1m add-ons.

Serie A transfers completed on July 29, 2025

Federico Baschirotto from Lecce to Cremonese (permanent)

Leo Ostigard from Olympique Marseille to Genoa (loan with option to buy)

Alessandro Nunziante from Benevento to Udinese (permanent)

Tajon Buchanan from Inter to Villarreal (permanent)

Zakaria Aboukhlal from Toulouse to Torino (permanent)

Rares Burnete from Lecce to Juve Stabia (loan)

Alessio Zerbin from Napoli to Cremonese (loan with option to buy)

Devis Vasquez from Milan to Roma (free)

Riccardo Bassanini from Pisa to Pontedera (loan)

Ismael Koné from Olympique Marseille to Sassuolo (loan with option to buy)

Andrea Fulignati from Cremonese to Empoli (loan)

Genoa have completed the transfer of Norway international Leo Ostigard from Rennes, on loan with option to buy, in a return to the club.

The defender has made the move on loan and the option to make it permanent at the end of the season is believed to be set at €8m.

Ostigard back at Genoa

This represents a return to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for the centre-back, who had already played for the Grifone on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion for six months in 2022.

Ostigard remained in Serie A for Napoli with a €5.5m transfer that summer and was part of the team that won the Scudetto, then moving to Stade Rennes for €7m in 2024.

He was on loan at TSG Hoffenheim from February to June 2025.

The defender has 31 senior caps for Norway and will celebrate his 26^th birthday in November.

Between Genoa and Napoli, Ostigard made 46 Serie A appearances.

Leo is rossoblù pic.twitter.com/29oBxmxhvx

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) July 29, 2025

The Lega Serie A published the rule changes for the 2025-26 season for deciding what happens when matches are interrupted or postponed, aiming to play within 24 hours.

There were several situations last term where the games were delayed due to weather warnings or events, which saw the fixture list thrown into chaos with the difficulty of rearranging them.

Now the clubs have come together and approved a new set of rules to make the situation easier, or at the very least provide a little more clarity when they do occur.

Serie A rules for postponed fixtures

The Lega Serie A warns that games that were postponed before kick-off must start within the next 24 hours, unless there are exceptional circumstances such as the pitch still being unsuited to a football match, coinciding with the break for international duty, or games that are too close together.

In these cases, the Lega Serie A will dictate the rescheduling at the earliest available opportunity.

There must be at least two free days guaranteed between fixtures for both the teams involved.

When it comes to games that have been interrupted, the same Serie A rule applies as last season, namely that they pick up precisely where they left off.

If a match was stopped after 80 minutes, for example, then the teams will come back out to play the remaining 10 minutes plus stoppages.

Here too, the aim is to resume the day after it was interrupted.

There are some changes in the rules, as clubs can bring in up to three new players who were signed after the interruption, as long as they did not cross over from the other team involved in the match.

However, those who were sent off, substituted, or suspended for the original game cannot be brought back in.

Mario Balotelli’s agent Enzo Raiola admits that the striker’s return to Serie A is ‘difficult’ after a negative spell at Genoa: ‘We’ll consider other options.’

Balotelli is available as a free agent after his contract with Genoa expired in June.

The Italian striker signed for Il Grifone in October, but only made six appearances under Patrick Vieira.

Balotelli unlikely to return to Serie A

“Last year, he made a decision from the heart and for his life, choosing to stay in Italy, hoping to find a club. In the end, there was an opportunity, but things didn’t go as he hoped,” Raiola told DerbyDerbyDerby.

“Mario has always had many offers from abroad and still does, but at this point, it’s difficult for him to return to Serie A, especially after this last experience, which wasn’t positive.”

Why Balotelli flopped at Genoa

What didn’t work at Marassi for the 34-year-old?

“It wasn’t because of a lack of commitment,” said Raiola.

“He gave everything to prove his worth, but he didn’t find the right conditions. I told him last year that he should consider offers from abroad, which were significant. He chose Italy, and I respected his decision. Today, there are no negotiations underway for him in Italy. We’ll consider other options, but a final decision is up to him.”

Genoa wasn’t the only option for Balotelli last year.

“There was a discussion with Torino’s ownership to assess the feasibility, but Genoa moved quickly and Mario accepted their offer,” Raiola concluded.

Balotelli has played for several Serie A clubs in his career, including Inter and Milan.

He has netted 52 goals in 147 appearances in Italy’s top flight.

The Italian striker also played for Manchester City and Liverpool, scoring 21 goals in 70 league appearances in England.

Balotelli made his senior Italy debut in 2010 and scored 14 goals in 36 international appearances.

His trophy cabinet includes a Champions League and three Serie A titles with Inter and one Premier League title with Manchester City.

Wesley finally joined Roma, Lorenzo Colombo made the move to Genoa and Lecce brought in Corrie Ndaba from Kilmarnock on Monday, July 28 2025.

Which official transfers were announced in Serie A on July 28 2025?

Football Italia takes a look at every confirmed move in Italy’s top flight today.

Wesley joins Roma at last

This one had been in the works for a very long time, as negotiations dragged on for weeks before Roma finally managed to get an agreement in place with Flamengo for the wing-back.

The eventual cost of the operation should be a €25m fixed fee, plus €5m in various add-ons.

They also had to wait until Flamengo had successfully found a replacement, who also came from Serie A in the form of Milan’s Emerson Royal for €9m.

Milan also sent striker Colombo to Genoa on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season if certain conditions are met.

It is reported the conditions are as simple as the Grifone remaining in Serie A, while the cost should come out at €10m.

Another loan with option to buy saw Alieu Fadera move from Como to Sassuolo, although his parent club did retain a counter-option to bring him back to base next summer.

Lecce secured Irish left-back Corrie Ndaba from Kilmarnock on a permanent transfer, signing a contract to June 2028 with option to extend for another two years.

Serie A transfers completed on July 28, 2025

Alieu Fadera Como to Sassuolo (loan with option to buy)

Lorenzo Colombo Milan to Genoa (loan with obligation to buy)

Wesley Flamengo to Roma (permanent)

Corrie Ndaba Kilmarnock to Lecce (permanent)

Mattia Bani Genoa to Palermo (permanent)

Lisandru Tramoni Pisa to FC Zurich (permanent)

Emil Audero Como to Cremonese (loan)

Franco Israel Sporting CP to Torino (permanent)

Emerson Royal Milan to Flamengo (permanent)

Genoa have looked to history for their announcement of new striker Lorenzo Colombo, who arrives from Milan on loan with option to buy.

The 23-year-old completed the transfer this evening, which is reported to be a paid loan with option to buy that will become an obligation if certain conditions are met for a total fee of €10m.

The conditions could simply be that Genoa manage to remain in Serie A for next season.

Colombo is a new Genoa player

Genoa chose to make a play on his name in the announcement, because explorer Christopher Columbus hailed from the port city and his name in Italian is Cristoforo Colombo.

They therefore posted an image of the striker in the style of an ancient Columbus portrait.

A product of the Milan youth academy, he went on a series of loan experiences to Cremonese, SPAL, Lecce, Monza and most recently Empoli.

He is coming off a campaign where he scored six goals in 37 Serie A appearances, a personal best, but could not prevent Empoli from suffering relegation to Serie B.

Colombo is rossoblù pic.twitter.com/hgbmhYhl5R

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) July 28, 2025

Pol Lirola could be making a return to Serie A, according to Footmercato, with Pisa, Udinese, Genoa and Parma tracking the Olympique Marseille full-back.

The Spaniard turns 28 next month and is certainly no stranger to Italian football, having made 153 Serie A appearances, during which he scored four goals and provided 15 assists.

He first came to Italy with the Juventus youth academy in 2015 and went on to also feature for Sassuolo, Fiorentina and Frosinone.

Lirola has over 150 Serie A appearances

Fiorentina sold Lirola to Olympique Marseille in 2021 for €13.5m, but he failed to make an impact, being sent out on loan spells to Elche and Frosinone.

According to Footmercato, the right-back is heading back to Serie A and the asking price is believed to be €5-6m, considering his contract expires in June 2026.

Pisa would seem to be the most interested club, but others keeping an ee on the situation are Genoa, Udinese and Parma.

There had already been some links with Palermo, who are in Serie B.

Several Serie A sides were in action for pre-season friendlies today, as Atalanta struggled against their own Under-23 team, Udinese beat the Qatar national side, with Torino and Genoa victories too.

The summer is in full swing and that means a series of test matches for the teams we’ll soon see in the Italian top flight.

Atalanta made their debut under new coach Ivan Juric with an in-house game against their own Under-23 side, which will play in Serie C this season.

Inter transfer target Ademola Lookman was left out officially due to muscular problems.

It was tougher than expected for Atalanta, who only won 1-0 thanks to a late goal from substitute Charles De Ketelaere on the Mario Pasalic assist.

Atalanta beat U23 side, Udinese saw off Qatar

Udinese fared better in their 3-0 victory over the Qatar national team, as Keinan Davis, Iker Bravo and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp were on target.

Torino swept newly-promoted Cremonese aside 4-1 and the highlight was certainly this fantastic volley from Ivan Ilic well outside the area.

Gran gol di Ivan Ilic!

Segui la diretta su DAZN
Se sei abbonato alla stadio per la stagione 2025/26, iscriviti al sito https://t.co/oUyfKIYeel e guarda la diretta streaming su Torino Channel pic.twitter.com/mT2I1lf6oT

— Torino Football Club (@TorinoFC_1906) July 26, 2025

Che Adams pounced on a defensive error, Adrien Tameze nodded in and Bianay Balcot concluded the rout.

Cremonese were on target with De Luca, but their defending left a lot to be desired under heavy rain.

Genoa struggled to see off Mantova 3-2, as they had been losing 1-0 at the break, fighting back with Alessandro Marcandalli, Lorenzo Venturino and Morten Thorsby.

Leo Ostigard is reportedly returning to Genoa, on loan with option to buy from Stade Rennes, after leaving Serie A in 2024.

According to Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio, a deal has been reached and he will be in Italy on Sunday for his medical tests.

Their first choice had been Jay Idzes, but Venezia were reportedly asking for €10m to sell, which made Genoa turn back towards Ostigard instead.

Genoa look to Ostigard again

The Norway international had already worn the Grifone jersey for six months in 2022 when he was on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.

He made 15 appearances for the club, scoring one goal and receiving two red cards.

Ostigard remained in Serie A after that, as Brighton sold him to Napoli for €5.5m and he helped them win the Serie A title before moving on to Stade Rennes in 2024.

The central defender spent the last six months on loan at TSG Hoffenheim in Germany.

Between Genoa and Napoli, he has made 46 Serie A appearances during his playing career and will now return to Italian football for the 2025-26 campaign.

Milan have shaken hands with Genoa to hand over Lorenzo Colombo on loan with an option to buy, becoming an obligation if conditions are met, at a cost of €10m.

According to Calciomercato.com’s Milan correspondent Daniele Longo, the clubs are already exchanging documentation and the striker is flying back from their pre-season tour to undergo a medical.

The negotiations had been at an advanced stage and were completed this afternoon.

It is going to be a paid loan with option to buy for a total of €10m.

This becomes an obligation if Genoa manage to secure their Serie A status at the end of the season.

Colombo hoping to flourish at Genoa

The 23-year-old had also been linked with Parma over the last few weeks, but Genoa came out on top with a deal.

Colombo is a product of the Milan youth academy who has been on a series of loan experiences since 2021 for Cremonese, SPAL, Lecce, Monza and most recently Empoli.

That had been his most prolific top flight campaign with six goals in 37 Serie A appearances, but was not enough to prevent Empoli’s relegation.

Napoli and Bologna are said to be interested in Juventus midfielder Fabio Miretti, but the asking price can reach €30m including add-ons.

The player turns 22 next month and has returned to base after spending last season on loan at Genoa, where he made 26 appearances, scoring three goals and providing another three assists.

A product of the Bianconeri youth academy, he is not expected to be part of coach Igor Tudor’s plans, so is looking for a more permanent transfer this summer.

Miretti not part of Juventus plans

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli are the club showing the strongest interest in Miretti, with Bologna lagging behind in their pursuit.

Juventus are thought to be asking for somewhere between €20m and €30m, with that gap likely bridged by bonuses and add-ons.

The fact that Miretti is a product of their academy means that his sale would be pure profit for the Old Lady, making him a more enticing prospect for the exit.

Genoa are reportedly very close to an agreement with Milan for striker Lorenzo Colombo, taking him on loan with an option to buy that could become an obligation.

The 23-year-old is a product of the Rossoneri youth academy, but one who has spent practically his entire career out on various loan spells.

He played for Cremonese, SPAL, Lecce, Monza and most recently Empoli, always returning to base.

Colombo ready for Genoa experience

According to transfer pundit Matteo Moretto, Colombo is now on the verge of a perhaps more permanent transfer to Genoa.

It is reported the negotiations are down to the details for what would be a loan with option to buy, which can become an obligation if certain conditions are met during the season.

Sky Sport Italia put the figures at a total of €10m.

He had been heavily linked with Parma and a potential swap deal involving defender Giovanni Leoni.

Colombo found the net six times with two assists in 37 Serie A games for Empoli last term, failing to prevent their relegation to Serie B.

That represented his most prolific top flight campaign.

Several sources confirm that José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe are interested in Hakan Calhanoglu, but there are mixed reports on the possible replacements at San Siro, with Italian sports papers mentioning Granit Xhaka and Morten Frendrup as the Nerazzurri’s priorities.

Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have emerged as the latest club interested in Calhanoglu.

Gazzetta claims Xhaka is Inter’s priority to replace Calhanoglu

The Turkey international has a €30m price tag and has already attracted interest from Fenerbahce’s domestic rivals, Galatasaray.

Inter haven’t yet received formal offers for Calhanoglu but are already considering potential replacements, just in case one of the interested clubs matches their demands.

According to Gazzetta, Bayer Leverkusen star Xhaka is Cristian Chivu’s priority target if Calhanoglu leaves.

The Swiss international has also been linked with Juventus and Milan.

CorSport: Inter turn to Frendrup if Calhanoglu leaves

Gazzetta reports that Xhaka is not the only target in central midfield, but is surely Chivu’s favourite.

On the other hand, Corriere dello Sport wrote on its Sunday front page that Genoa’s Frendrup is the leading Inter target to replace Calhanoglu, should the Turkish star leave.

Atalanta’s Ederson was also mentioned as one of the players on Inter’s agenda earlier this month, but the Brazilian has a €50m price tag, and the Serie A giants are also in talks for his teammate Ademola Lookman.

Lorenzo Lucca to Napoli and Pietro Terracciano to Milan are just two of the Serie A transfers completed today, Friday, July 18, 2025. Take a look at all the deals completed today.

Which transfers were announced in Serie A on July 18 2025?

Football Italia takes a look at every confirmed transfer in Italy’s top flight today.

Lucca from Udinese to Napoli

The most significant move confirmed on Friday was Lucca to Napoli, on an initial loan deal with an option to buy. Football Italia reported earlier this week that Lucca’s move to the Stadio Maradona was worth €35m.

The Italian striker will soon be joined by Sam Beukema, who underwent medical tests with the defending Serie A champions on Friday.

Napoli are expected to confirm his signing, the fifth one for them this summer, tomorrow.

Milan have changed their second-choice keeper by sending Marco Sportiello to Atalanta and replacing him with Pietro Terracciano of Fiorentina.

Serie A transfers confirmed on July 18, 2025

Maxi Perrone has remained at Como on a permanent deal from Manchester City, while Valentin Carboni joined Genoa from Inter on a dry loan deal.

• Transfer news LIVE – Milan move forward for Estupiñán, Lucca to Napoli official

Below are all the Serie A transfers confirmed on July 18, 2025.

Giuseppe D’Agostino from Napoli to Giugliano, permanent transfer

Denis Cazzadori from Verona to Union Brescia, loan

Marco Sportiello from Milan to Atalanta, free transfer

Valentin Carboni from Inter to Genoa, loan

Pietro Terracciano from Fiorentina to Milan, free transfer

Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese to Napoli, loan with option to buy

Davide Mastrantonio from Roma to Latina, permanent transfer

Maxi Perrone from Manchester City to Como, permanent transfer

Valentin Mihaila from Parma to Rizespor. permanent transfer

Lorenzo Lucchesi from Fiorentina to Monza, loan