The landscape of Italian football is poised for significant shifts, with the national team seeking a new direction and Serie ACompetition·Serie A clubs actively navigating the summer transfer window. At the heart of the national team's rebuild, Paolo Maldini, who assumed the role of Italian Football Federation (FIGC) technical director on July 11, 2026, is reportedly championing Pep Guardiola as the ideal candidate to manage the Azzurri.
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Maldini and advisor Leonardo view Guardiola as an ambitious and transformative choice to revitalize Italy's footballing identity, particularly after the national team's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – their third consecutive absence from the tournament. Italy currently holds a FIFA ranking of 12th and secured only 4 points from three games in their 2025-26 European Championship qualification campaign. While Guardiola has previously expressed interest in managing a national team, a substantial financial hurdle remains. His reported salary of approximately €25 million gross during his final season with Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City significantly exceeds the FIGC's current budget, prompting discussions about potential funding solutions, including contributions from Serie ACompetition·Serie A clubs.
Concurrently, the transfer market is buzzing with speculation surrounding English defender John StonesPlayer·John Stones. The former Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City player became a free agent at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, and Inter Milan is reportedly considering him as a defensive reinforcement. This interest emerges amid rumors of Benjamin PavardPlayer·Benjamin Pavard's potential departure from the Inter squad, coupled with the recent exits of Francesco AcerbiPlayer·Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de VrijPlayer·Stefan de Vrij, and Matteo DarmianPlayer·Matteo Darmian, all of whom left after their contracts expired.
Sources such as "Sport Italia" indicate that Inter's management has engaged with Stones' representatives to assess his availability. However, he is not considered the club's primary target for a center-back position. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Stones has been offered to several prominent Italian clubs, including JuventusTeam·Juventus and AC MilanTeam·AC Milan, in addition to Inter. Concerns persist regarding the 32-year-old's wage demands and injury history. Stones, who turned 32 in May 2026, is reportedly willing to accept a notable pay cut from his previous €10 million per season at Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City but is seeking a two-year contract with an option for a third, a commitment that clubs are currently hesitant to make.
Inter Milan enters this transfer period on the back of a highly successful 2025/26 season, having clinched the Serie ACompetition·Serie A title with 87 points from 38 games, alongside winning the Coppa ItaliaCompetition·Coppa Italia and reaching the knockout phase play-offs of the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League. Lautaro Martínez led the team's scoring efforts in Serie ACompetition·Serie A with 17 goals.
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