Italian Papers: Milan mourns Baresi, Leão U-turn and Inter close on Romero
Quick summary
Italian newspaper roundup covering AC Milan's mourning of legendary figure Baresi, Rafael Leão's reported change of stance on his future, and Inter Milan's progress in signing Romero.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceItalian football pauses on Tuesday to say goodbye to Franco Baresi, and the country’s three sports dailies devote their front pages both to his funeral and to a transfer market showing no sign of slowing.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport , Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport alike, the day belongs to Baresi.
His funeral takes place at 11am at Milan’s Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, where thousands of supporters are expected.
Under headlines including “Per sempre libero” and “Tutto il mondo per salutare Baresi,” the papers report that former team-mates from Paolo Maldini and Marco van Basten to Dejan Savićević and Roberto Donadoni will join Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, president Paolo Scaroni and Inter counterpart Beppe Marotta, with delegations from Real Madrid and Barcelona also present.
Milan’s first team, on tour in Australia, will be represented only by the injured Christian Pulisic and Santiago Giménez, and will wear black armbands for Wednesday’s friendly against Inter in Perth.
Leão U-turn and Romero to Inter lead the market The market, though, presses on.
Gazzetta leads with “Giravolta Leao,” reporting that Rafael Leão’s expected Milan exit is no longer certain: with no concrete offers arriving, the Portugal forward is now working to stay and win back his place under Rúben Amorim.
The pink paper also trumpets Juventus’s spending, already €138m, it notes, on the likes of Kerim Alajbegović and Randal Kolo Muani, and Como’s capture of Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, billed as “another Champions-level signing.”
Corriere dello Sport leads on a goalkeeping tangle it dubs “Intrigo Suzuki,” with Parma’s Zion Suzuki courted by PSG and Juventus exploring a loan move for a keeper as Luciano Spalletti also eyes Guglielmo Vicario.
Its main splash, though, is Cristian Romero: Tottenham are said to be willing to let the Argentine leave for €40m, but his salary and the need for an Inter sale first complicate a deal that Piero Ausilio continues to push.
Tuttosport frames Juventus’s attacking business as a “last call,” reporting talks with Atlético Madrid over a possible exchange involving Alexander Sørloth and Nico González, the Norwegian said to be ready for Italy, the Argentine keen to stay in Spain.
The Turin paper agrees Inter’s pursuit of Romero, alongside Moussa Diaby, is well advanced, declaring the “Cuti” deal all but done.
Off the pitch, Corriere tracks FIFA’s fallout: with UEFA threatening legal action after the abandoned World Cup sell-off, it reports that Gianni Infantino has turned to his ally Donald Trump for support, while Concacaf’s Victor Montagliani is floated as a possible successor.
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What happened
The daily Italian press roundup highlights three main stories. AC Milan are mourning a legendary figure, with Baresi — one of the club's all-time icons — in focus. Separately, Rafael Leão appears set for a U-turn regarding his future, suggesting a shift in his stance on a potential contract renewal or transfer. Meanwhile, Inter Milan are closing in on a deal for Romero, with negotiations reportedly advancing. Together, these stories shape the narrative around Milan's two biggest clubs ahead of a critical period in the season.
Chance analysis
Baresi's passing/tribute is a major emotional and historical event for AC Milan, affecting club morale and identity. Leão's U-turn has direct implications for Milan's squad planning — if he commits, Milan retain a world-class forward; if not, they face a major sale. Inter's pursuit of Romero strengthens their defensive options, directly competing with Milan in the transfer market. The combined picture signals Inter strengthening while Milan face both a loss of a legend and uncertainty over a key attacking asset.
Milan face reduced attacking certainty if Leão departs and a morale blow from Baresi's loss, while Inter gain defensive depth via Romero, tilting the Milan-Inter balance in Inter's favor.
Leão's commitment status and Inter's incoming defensive reinforcement both affect Serie A title-race balance and upcoming match predictions involving Milan and Inter.