Bologna in defense, Leysen the chosen one. But its rating is still high

A central defender? Safe. An attacking winger? Perhaps. Vincenzo Italiano expects the former more than the latter but everything will be put on the table today or at the latest tomorrow in a summit preparatory to the final assault of… the start of the transfer market. “From a numerical point of view we are complete and we don’t need to intervene – said sporting director Marco Di Vaio -. The team is complete but we will evaluate if there is the possibility of improving it”. Translated: if there are outgoing requests – and for now there are none – an additional winger will be looked for also given the knockout of Federico Bernardeschi who will have to stay in the pits for about two months. The suspect? Benjamin Dominguez: he is not happy about playing so little, but for now the Argentine has not shown any desire to sell. In case of farewell, eyes on Camara (2007 Guimaraes) and Zenon (Boca).

Leysen: Obstacles?

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So, at the moment the focus remains on the central area of ​​the defense. For some time – Torbjorn Heggem was chosen in the summer also for an economic reason – Fedde Leysen, a 22-year-old star from Union St. Gilloise, has been on the favorites list, a Belgian team that has every right to dream of accessing the round of 16 (via playoffs: he is now 27th) of the Champions League. This still arithmetically achievable desire of the club is a possible obstacle to Bologna’s polls which put the Belgian centre-back in the crosshairs already in the summer session: the player, who met Inter in the Champions League, is valued at 12 million euros, a figure still considered excessive by Bologna. Dossier declassified? Absolutely not. Because due to his reliability, stature and knowledge of European football, Leysen always remains the main suspect in the race for an extra defender. A pure left-hander, last summer Leysen extended the agreement with the Belgian club until 2029: it is inevitable that the costs have increased and that – as he is the permanent starter – Union’s desire to sell him must be put to the test by a congruous and tough offer.

Freytes, we need more

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In all this, David Ricardo (Botafogo) remains in the background but with strong competition from Betis Seville, while the evaluation relating to Juan Pablo Freytes, 25 years old, Argentinian, another central defender who during the Club World Cup “raptured” the appreciation of Marco Materazzi, continues. There was something – according to the Brazilian media – between Bologna and Freytes: because Fluminense would have rejected the first offer from the rossoblù of 5 million euros, even if there is no total confirmation from the club on the proposal made but on the player’s interested observation there is. The “Flu” would like a fee of at least 8 million: relaunch in sight? One or two The CEO Fenucci, the director Sartori and the director Di Vaio also and above all think about two concepts: on the sale or not of Nicolò Casale and on the renewal (or not) of Jhon Lucumi who will expire in 2027. The issues related to the Italian and Colombian central defender will have important developments in the upcoming market but there is no doubt that Bologna intends to add an extra unit regardless. In the meantime, the blanket will be stretched and then we will see if, for example, Casale himself decides to stay or asks for a transfer: in the event of a farewell, the club will take an additional defender. Meanwhile, Diego Coppola (Brighton) always remains in the sights while it is difficult to be able to (re)think of Oliver Provstgaard: Maurizio Sarri holds him in high esteem. Bologna also likes Kempf but Como doesn’t want to let go of him. Ghilardi’s idea is timid. Tomorrow friendly match (11am) against Lentigione.