What do Teun Koopmeiners, Sam Beukema, Jesper Karlsson and Jens Odgaard have in common? They all play in Italy and were purchased by Giovanni Sartori, who took them all from one club, AZ Alkmaar. The 67-year-old Bologna technical director has established a real axis with the Dutch club over the years and could add a new player to this list.
The Bolognese, resigned to losing Joshua Zirkzee, do not want to be caught unprepared for a season that will see them busy on multiple fronts and above all competing with the big European teams in the Champions League. He therefore needs a great striker and the right name could be that of Vangelis PavlidisAZ’s striker now ready for the big leap after several important seasons.
The 25-year-old Greek, who also moved to Borussia Dortmund (although he only played with the second team), is back from three truly fantastic seasons: 80 goals in 137 games, with 27 assists to embellish it all. In the last Dutch championship he scored 29 goals in 34 matches and now there are many teams’ eyes on him; Roma also like him, but Bologna could bring him to Italy, taking advantage of the relationships built over time by Sartori.