What will Bologna 2024-2025 be like? From Meijer to Pasalic the first names for the future emerge, waiting to know the name of the coach
The Bologna aims for a significant transfer market in view of next season, so as not to remain just a fairy tale, but to transform into a reality in all respects. This year the rossoblu experienced an underdog championship that amazed everyone among the experts, so much so that they fought, with 5 days to go, for a place in Champions League.
The Emilians are in fourth place with 62 points, two less than Juventus third and 7 more than Rome who has about 20 minutes to recover from the match against Udinese, who were drawing 1-1. Even if the advantage was therefore 6 points, fifth place this year would still mean the Champions League, an extraordinary culmination of the journey made.
A team built to reach mid-table, but with important performers and extraordinary technical guidance, which allowed it to fly towards the highest levels of the A league and transform into one of the most beautiful Cinderellas. Will it be like this again next year? We decided to talk about it in this new column for Calciomercato.it where we will analyze three key macro aspects, team by team, in view of next season.
Future coach
We decided to start our study with the most important aspect in the home Bologna: the coach. What will happen to Thiago Motta? In all likelihood, his future will be linked to the Juventus and therefore far from the rossoblu club. His departure could also affect the possible farewell of some players, but, above all, the incoming market.
Who could replace him? There are several names that have been circulating in recent weeks, but it is too early to give certainties. At the top of the list there would be profiles like Raffaele Palladino from Monza, Vincenzo Italian from Fiorentina and Ivan Juric from Turin. All three have almost certainly reached the end of their cycle. Also based on the choice of the technician and therefore on the module, the work of an absolute master will depend as Giovanni Sartorione of the best managers for years, especially when it came to replacing departing profiles.
The budget
This will depend exclusively on two main factors: possible qualification for the Champions League (worth 18.62 million euros) or in the Europa League and the possible sale of big names like Zirkzee and the redemption of some loaned players. We will talk about the second aspect shortly, while for positioning in the ranking we will have to wait until the end of the year and understand how much profit will be poured onto the market.
The future rose
Which players will take to the field wearing the shirt of Bologna next season? Will there be goodbyes? Who will be the most important addition? A series of questions that are difficult to answer today, this is because in April it is difficult to know well the plans of a club that does not yet know in which position in the standings it will end.
What we can evaluate, however, is an objective observation of some data linked to the contracts and the future of some players. Bologna’s typical starting 11 has looked more or less like this throughout the season: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumì/Calafiori, Kristiansen; Aebischer, Freuler; Orsolini, Ferguson, Saelemaekers; Zirzkee. Urbanski, Ndoye and more rarely El Azzouzi were also often seen on the pitch.
A squad that has performed fantastically and could be confirmed as a whole for some names. Who risks the most in defense is Calafioriwhich she particularly likes Juventus and who could end up in black and white precisely due to the aforementioned passage of Thiago Motta to the ranks of the Old Lady. The other is Kristiansenon which Bologna has a right of redemption set at 15 million with Leicester and a possible automatic contract extension until 2028. The figure is certainly important, but the Dane took to the field 30 times in the season and was one of the untouchables.
They shouldn’t move from the rossoblu club either Aebischerwho has another 2 years of contract, Orsolinitied until 2027 and Ferguson, who will be out of action for several months due to a ruptured cruciate ligament in his knee. The redemption of has also been official since February Freuler, absolute pivot of the team. The situation is more complicated Saelemaekersfor which the company would have to pay 10 million euros to redeem him from Milan. The season finale would be convincing the company.
Few doubts, however, about it Zirkzee, the number one suspect to leave the team. Bologna will have to set its price, which, in all likelihood, will exceed 50 million of Euro. Bayern Munich and the Premier League are strong on him, and he could overcome the interest of Juventus and the strong pressing of Milan.
At least for another year it won’t even move Fabbianwho Inter could recall to the Nerazzurri in 2025. His permanence is more difficult Lykogiannis And Soumaoro (expiring in 2024). Still some doubts Odegaard, whose redemption right is set at 4 million + 1 bonus. Two goals this season, it remains to be seen whether he will remain as deputy next year.
And as new faces? Very early, as mentioned, to make decisive considerations, but there are three profiles that are circulating in this period. The first is that of the left back Bjorn Meijer of Club Brugge, Fiorentina’s next opponent. Its value is around 7 million euros and could be an important reinforcement in the event of Calafiori’s farewell and Lucumì’s move to power plant. Precisely in the role of central defender, Bologna has also started to observe Ravil Tagir, currently on loan from Istanbul Basaksehir. The third name is that of Pasalic, who could leave Atalanta and replace Ferguson pending his return. Hypotheses we will keep you updated on in the coming months, when the market officially comes to life.
