United scouts: Scouts from Manchester United yesterday attended the match between Napoli and Atalanta at the San Paolo to monitor midfielder Franck Kessie, of Atalanta, and Napoli wing-back Elseid Hysaj. Gazzetta dello Sport said United boss Jose Mourinho was keen on the duo, particularly Ivory Coast international Kessie who told reporters last week that he “dreams of playing for Manchester United”.
Cellino: Tuttomercatoweb yesterday said that former Leeds United supremo Massimo Cellino is mulling over a move to buy Serie B outfit Brescia. The report said Cellino, who sold his share in Leeds
to fellow Italian Andrea Radrizzani last month, wants to invest heavily in Brescia and help them return to Serie A. Before, Cellino was also involved in Italian football, having spent more than 20 years with the Sardegna club Cagliari.
Roma Stadium: Roma have struck a deal with city officials over building a new stadium in the Italian capital, opening the way for a project meant to boost the Serie A soccer club’s revenue. The 52,500-seat Stadio Della Roma was originally set to open in the current season but has faced years of delays as the club waited for approval. Roma’s pursuit of the project follows the example of Juventus, who became the first top Italian club to own their own ground in 2011.
Monaco: Ligue 1 leaders Monaco returned to victory with a 2-1 triumph over Guingamp to restore their three-point lead, yesterday. Leonardo Jardim’s side were held to a draw by Bastia last week and then lost 5-3 to Manchester City in the Champions League clash in midweek. There was rather less drama at the Stade de Roudourou, although Etienne Didot did make it a nervous finish for Monaco with a 90th-minute goal.
Fiorentina: Fiorentina are engaged in talks with officials from Partizan Belgrade over the transfer of talented duo Dusan Vlahovic, 17, and Nikola Milenkovic, 19. Sky Italia said Partizan representatives are currently in Italy to discuss the transfer of Vlahovic, a striker, and Milenkovic who plays in midfield. Fiorentina want to seal the deal as soon as possible with both players likely to play elsewhere on loan before heading to Florence.