Bologna has had an intense summer, especially on the transfer market front. On the one hand, the squad needs to be strengthened to hand over to the new coach Vincenzo Italiano, so that he can best face the championship and the Champions League. On the other, there are the numerous and inevitable requests to deal with for all those prized pieces that stood out last year under the orders of Thiago Motta. The first name is obviously that of Joshua Zirkzee: it seemed like it was going to be a sacrifice on the well-paid market but, according to the latest rumours, he will be overtaken by a teammate who has done just as well.
Last season Zirkzee enchanted everyone, with 12 goals between the league and the Italian Cup and many signature moves. A clause of 40 million euros hangs over his head, which, since the season was not yet over, has started to be tempting for the most important European clubs. Above all Milan, who seemed to be one step away from buying the Dutch striker but then stopped at the most beautiful moment – barring sensational twists – due to the high commissions requested by agent Kia Joorabchian. Milan or no Milan, if Zirkzee were to leave for the rossoblù coffers – by enforcing a clause that is valid from July 1 to August 15 – 40 million would come in. A considerable figure, but not the highest of the outgoing Bolognese market.
The other big name praised by Thiago Motta is certainly that of Richard Calafiori. The central defender was one of the surprises of the championship, so much so that he earned Spalletti’s call-up for the European Championships and was one of the few bright spots in the disastrous Azzurri expedition. Until a few weeks ago, there was no talk of figures similar to those of Zirkzee, but then the arrival of English suitors changed everything. A London derby in particular was unleashed for the former Basel player, with Chelsea ready to offer 47 million and Arsenal raising it to 50.
Bologna seems to be inclined to accept, taking into account the high price and the fact that it remains a considerable sum despite 40% of it being destined for Basel. Once this transfer is formalized and with the coffers replenished, the Bologna management could be even more reluctant to make other sacrifices on the market (of Zirkzee and others).