Inter won Napoli at their home – Getty image Inter Milan secured the top spot in the Serie A with a 3-0 victory over reigning champions Napoli, on Sunday night. The visitors dominated the match, with goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolò Barella, and Marcus Thuram. The opening minutes saw Napoli’s Eljif Elmas testing Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, with a powerful shot. However, Inter’s Marcus Thuram was the one who had an early goal disallowed for offside. Inter won Napoli at their home – Getty image Inter’s breakthrough came just before halftime when Federico Dimarco’s cross was met by Denzel Dumfries, who nodded it down for Barella. The midfielder set up Calhanoglu for a strike into the bottom corner, raising controversy as Napoli claimed a foul in the build-up. Barella extended Inter’s lead in the second half with a finish from Lautaro Martinez’s pass. Despite Napoli’s efforts, including a near miss by Victor Osimhen and a save by Sommer, Inter remained firm. Inter sealed the victory with Thuram tapping in a cross from Juan Cuadrado.
Romelu Lukaku at the 2023 Champions League final for Inter Milan. Source: Getty Lukaku scored 14 goals in 37 appearances during his loan spell with Inter last season and helped them to reach the Champions League final. Inter were desperate to keep the 30-year-old forward but they have so far been refusing to meet Chelsea’s asking price, despite it being vastly reduced from what they paid for him two years ago. They launched a second bid of £27.5m this week with the Blues demanding £34m, but have now allegedly pulled out of a potential deal. It was gathered that Inter Milan is furious after discovering advisers working on behalf of Lukaku had held secret talks with Juventus. While such conversations are legal and standard at this stage of negotiations, Inter have been left disappointed by the situation as they believed Lukaku’s only interest was returning to the Nerazzurri, a message insiders insist came from the player himself. 
Inter Milan goalkeeper, Andre Onana. Source: Getty Onana has reportedly been identified by Man United head coach Erik ten Hag as his leading goalkeeping target this summer, with the Cameroonian previously playing under the Dutchman at Ajax. Inter Milan CEO who spoke at the Gran Gala in Italy last night, said while Manchester United have expressed an interest in Andre Onana, he is yet to receive an offer. Marotta said; “Manchester United expressed a particular interest, but that needs to blossom into making a proposal over the next few days. Once that happens, both Inter and the player will make a careful evaluation.” United will soon have to make a decision on a bid for Onana but also have the matter of De Gea’s future to resolve. 
Inter Milan CEO, Beppe Marotta. Source: Getty De Gea had agreed to a contract extension which would have seen his wages drop almost half, down to £200,000 a week, but United later withdrew that offer and have attempted to convince the goalkeeper to accept an even-greater pay cut. That latest proposal remains unsigned and De Gea is now set to become a free agent, with his United contract expiring on Friday evening. Even if De Gea can be convinced to stay at Old Trafford, United could still pursue a move for Onana, with manager Erik ten Hag keep to find high-level competition in goal. 27-year-old Onana moved to San Siro from Ajax last July, and he impressed football lovers at Inter during the 2022-23 campaign, helping them to reach the Champions League final, in addition to lifting the Italian Super Cup and Coppa Italia title. Onana featured on 41 occasions for his Italian side during the recent season, keeping 19 clean sheets in the process. 
Inter Milan’s former captain, Milan Skriniar. Source: Getty Relations between the player and the club had become strained at the turn of the year. Inter failed to sell him to PSG in the January transfer window and stripped him of the captaincy in February after he refused to renew his contract. The Slovak international is expected to complete a move to PSG soon and will team up with Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe in the heart of the club’s backline after spending six seasons with Inter Milan. Inter is reported to have already lined up possible replacements for Skriniar, with Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic among those to have been linked with a switch to San Siro. 
Chelsea’s captain, Cesar Azpilicueta. Source: Getty Popular journalist, Fabrizio Romano reported that Cesar Azpilicueta has agreed personal terms with Inter Milan and will join on a two-year deal. He is now set to complete a free transfer, with Chelsea happy to cancel his contract a year early to allow him to leave for the 2023 Champions League runners-up. The Spanish defender completed a move to west London 11 years ago after joining from Marseille back in 2012. Understand César Azpilicueta has now full agreement on personal terms with Inter. Two year deal sealed. 🚨⚫️🔵 Chelsea are expected to let him go by terminating his contract despite being still valid until 2024. There’s always been genuine respect between Azpi and Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/nodpgZKf5s — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 23, 2023 Since then, the 33-year-old has gone on to make 508 appearances for the Blues, scoring 17 goals in the process. He also has a pretty spectacular trophy haul to his name, having won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, two Europa Leagues, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea and Inter have been locked in negotiations all summer over a range of issues. While the Blues have backed away from a deal for goalkeeper Andre Onana, talks remain ongoing over striker Romelu Lukaku. 
Cesar Azpilicueta lifting a trophy with some Chelsea stars. Source: Getty Lukaku spent last season on loan with Inter and is determined to return. Chelsea are pushing for a permanent sale but Inter can only afford a loan and so work is being done to try and thrash out an agreement that benefits everyone. Azpilcueta won’t be the only player to leave Chelsea this summer, with stars such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, and Mason Mount among the frontrunners to move on. N’Golo Kante has already finalized a move to the Middle East, joining Al-Ittihad on a free transfer. As for incomings, Chelsea confirmed the signing of Christopher Nkunku this week, having signed an agreement for the Frenchman before the end of the season. The club also remains in talks to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo. 
Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi celebrating a goal during a match for Barcelona. Source: Getty While the negotiations for multiple former Messi teammates are still ongoing, there is one player that won’t join Inter Miami this summer. Angel Di Maria has decided to go back to Benfica and will sign for the Portuguese club after his contract with Juventus will expire at the end of June. Popular journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the talks are at final stages and only the final details are missing to get it sealed. Di Maria, if it all goes according to the plan, will sign a contract until June 2024 and will be back at Benfica 13 years after his last stint, when he signed for the Portuguese club and started an incredible European journey that led him to play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain, and Juventus. 
Messi during a training session at PSG. Source: Getty Inter Miami has a long-standing interest in bringing Messi to the United States and making him a face for the sport ahead of the World Cup in three years’ time. They are bottom of the Eastern Conference and have just sacked Phil Neville as manager. Javier Morales is their interim head coach. The Athletic reported that the Argentine legend’s decision to join Inter Miami was partly influenced by commercial partners Apple and adidas. It was reported that the World Cup winner will get a share of the revenue from Apple TV+’s MLS Season Pass, while Adidas has offered him a profit-sharing agreement to strengthen their long-term relationship. 🚨🚨 BREAKING: Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, here we go! The decision has been made and it will be announced by Leo in the next hours #InterMiami 🇺🇸 Messi will play in MLS. No more chances for Barcelona/Al Hilal despite trying to make it happen. 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎#Messi #MLS pic.twitter.com/OTYWIlEzNc — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2023 Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain officially expires at the end of June, could debut for Miami in either July or August and would have the unenviable task of lifting a last-place, frequently dysfunctional franchise to the playoffs. Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, has scored 32 goals in 75 appearances in all competitions for French giants PSG, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, following his transfer from boyhood club Barcelona in 2021. 
