Young French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny, currently playing for Parma, has been making waves in Italian football. Born on October 25, 2003, in Aubervilliers, France, Bonny’s journey to Serie A has been swift and impressive.
Calciomercato outline how Bonny honed his skills in various French youth academies before catching the attention of Parma’s scouting network. In the summer of 2021, under the guidance of then-sporting director Javier Ribalta, Parma secured Bonny on a free transfer. This move has proven to be a masterstroke, as the young striker quickly adapted to Italian football.
After a year and a half of acclimatization between the Primavera and first team, Bonny became a key figure in Parma’s promotion campaign to Serie A last season. His transition to top-flight football has been seamless, with two goals and an assist in his first seven Serie A appearances.
Standing at 189 cm and weighing 86 kg, Bonny is an imposing physical presence on the pitch. However, what sets him apart is his remarkable agility in tight spaces despite his size. His playing style, particularly his back-to-goal work and ability to create space for teammates, has drawn comparisons to Romelu Lukaku in his early years under Antonio Conte.
Antonio Conte, currently at the helm of Napoli, is a big admirer of Bonny. The coach had expressed interest in the player during the summer transfer window, but Parma’s asking price was deemed too high at the time. Napoli has continued to monitor Bonny’s progress closely, and their initial doubts about his ability to perform in Serie A have been dispelled by his impressive start to the season.
Parma are well aware of the gem they possess in Bonny. With his potential for further improvement, the club has set a valuation of around 20-25 million euros for the striker. Napoli maintains active interest, eyeing a potential move in the future rather than the upcoming winter transfer window.
Conte sees Bonny as an ideal backup for Lukaku in his Napoli squad. The coach’s decision to pursue the young Frenchman underscores his belief in Bonny’s potential to thrive in his tactical system and contribute significantly to Napoli’s ambitions.
