Giovanni Sartori, Bologna’s sporting director, has provided insights into the club’s transfer plans during the opening gala of the 2024 summer transfer window in Rimini. His comments shed light on the futures of key players Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori.
Regarding Joshua Zirkzee, Sartori was candid about the Dutch striker’s likely departure: “He has a release clause, so there’s a 99.9% chance he’ll leave”. This statement aligns with recent reports linking Zirkzee to Manchester United, with the player reportedly having discussions with the English club’s manager.
On the subject of Riccardo Calafiori, Sartori expressed the club’s desire to retain the young defender: “We signed him 12 months ago, so we’ll see what happens in the market, but in our minds, we want to keep him”. This indicates Bologna’s intention to build around Calafiori, who has become an integral part of the team since his arrival.
Sartori concluded his remarks by addressing Bologna’s approach to incoming transfers, simply stating, “We are vigilant”. This suggests that while the club is prepared for potential departures, they are also actively exploring opportunities to strengthen the squad.
As Bologna prepares for their upcoming Champions League campaign, these transfer decisions will be crucial in shaping the team’s future success. The club’s management, led by Sartori, appears to be taking a measured approach to the transfer window, balancing the need to retain key players with the reality of potential high-profile departures.
