“My future after the European Championship”, declared Riccardo Calafiori on the eve of leaving for the continental event. All this while Beukema and Ndoye’s agents received surveys from Inter, which were promptly returned to the sender. Adding to the picture is the interview given yesterday by Jhon Lucumi to the Colombian newspaper Relevo: “It’s no secret to anyone that I work with the aim of reaching important places. I’m calm and grateful to Bologna, but I won’t lie: I work to reach the dream places. If I have nothing I focus on Bologna, but I like the idea of growing and I hope it can happen. For now the most important thing is the Copa America.”
We’ll see. Atletico Madrid and Napoli had explored him and some leads could emerge in England, according to what was reported in Colombia. Obviously both Lucumi, Calafiori, Ndoye and Beukema have contracts: ergo, the last word will be up to the rossoblù management. But this is enough to understand how much of the summer market is played on defense: that is, with a view to retaining the squad’s showcase pieces.
Also because there is a Champions League to play and the aim of establishing itself as a team that can fight for Europe on a stable basis in the future too, the next leap in quality to be made after the exploit achieved with Motta. Continuity is the watchword. Net of the fact that Zirkzee’s future will depend on the Dutchman himself: Milan is ready to pay the clause (40 million) and is working day and night to find a solution with his commission agent, with requests around today to 9-10 million compared to the initial 15: this week Bologna will meet with Joorobchian to understand the situation, because if, as is probable, Zirkzee’s future will be at the Rossoneri, the priority will be the striker: Pavlidis (25) of Az Alkmaar, Duràn (20) of Aston Villa and Broja (22) of Chelsea are the goals scored, together with Strand Larsen (24) of Celta, in a triangulation that involves Milan and Arsenal. A lot will depend on Zirkzee’s future: if he were to choose Milan it would result in an income of 24 million by virtue of the 40 percent to be paid to Bayern Munich as a resale percentage.
In that case, Bologna could go looking for a figure similar to another transfer: Juventus likes Calafiori and the rossoblù club starts from a valuation of 40 million (with 40 percent to be paid to Basel) precisely to compensate for the lack of revenue by Zirkzee.
Because in addition to the striker, two full-backs and at least one playmaker will be needed, not counting the central defender: for Brassier (24) Brest has set the price at 13 million: Bologna is working on it.
