Who would have thought just six months ago, when the good Ndoye whizzed by like a Japanese train but (almost) never hit the target, that one day none other than Manchester United would ask for information about him? And yet this is precisely what would have happened in these hours, in the form of a simple exploratory phone call (nothing to do with an offer anyway). Power of exponential growth and a showcase, that of Euro 2024, which with Switzerland today sees the former Basel as a great protagonist. The Red Devils are knocking on Casteldebole’s door (Inter would also have done so in recent days, to test the waters in the event of Dumfries’ departure): but will they find someone to open the door?
Paid 11 million today, Ndoye is worth at least 30, but Bologna, who have no intention of selling their jewels, could also raise the stakes later on, especially in the presence of a very rich English club. The fact remains that Marco Di Vaio reiterated the rossoblù line yesterday, in an interview granted to ‘Libero’, where the topic was the future of Calafiori. “The dynamics of the market will have an important boost after the European Championships – said the director –, but our intention is to keep everyone. So also Calafiori”. The attempt to retain Zirkzee, who up to now has acted as a spectator with the Netherlands at the European Championships, is more complex. Bologna, however, does not give up and cultivates the hope of getting Joshua’s yes for another season under the Two Towers, subject to adjustment of the contract and ‘bonus’ to the agent. But even in this case the Red Devils loom large.
Meanwhile, Emil Holm’s arrival in the rossoblù is about to become official. The Swedish right-back underwent the ritual medical examinations yesterday, in the morning at the Villalba clinic and in the afternoon at the Isokinetic, which the player will complete today. Then the contract will be signed, although the official status could be postponed until Monday, when he will formally open the transfer market. While waiting for Holm yesterday, to those who asked him if he was happy to wear the rossoblù, he replied with an eloquent “Very” accompanied by a smile. The first real words will also arrive soon.
In reality it would be more important to sign Gosens, for whom there was a big slowdown from Benfica who relaunched the rossoblù. Sartori also had contact with the agent of the German left wing yesterday and they have not given up. In the meantime, the Union Berlin director declared: “Robin is under contract with us and we expect him at the team meeting on Monday”. In midfield, Alexander Prass, born in 2001, Austrian national team of Sturm Graz, is still in the sights and was seen directly at the European Championships by an emissary of Sartori. Nikola Moro, in the same department, could be on the way out. In defence, however, Marin Pongracic, defender born in ’97 for Lecce, already a protagonist with Croatia, remains a hot name.
